A LABOUR MP has accused the BBC Scotland current affairs programme, Newsnight Scotland, of being biased in favour of the SNP.
Ian Davidson made the claim last night during an interview with Isabel Fraser, who fought back, suggesting he might wish to apologise, which he declined to do.
It begins with Davidson saying: “I understand that [the position of ‘News-Nat Scotland’] is that the powers should be given to the Scottish Parliament, and that the SNP should do as they wish.”
It prompts Fraser to say it was “ludicrous” to suggest that she had predicated her question on a “preconception”.
Davidson replies: “I don’t believe it is. [There] is a general political view that ‘News-Nat Scotland’ is biased in favour of the Scottish Parliament handling all these powers themselves.”
A little while later, Fraser then retorts: “Perhaps it might be appropriate at this stage if you would like to apologise to me for suggesting that I have come into the interview in any way biased against your argument or for one political party or another.
“Nobody in this programme works in that way and it is offensive that you should suggest that.”
This prompts Davidson to reply: “Certainly not. I don’t believe that.
“I have already complained, as has the Labour Party, on a number of occasions about the way in which ‘News-Nat Scotland’ behaves.
“I think you are clearly biased and have been for a long time against the unionist parties, and if that causes you concern then I’m afraid that you’ve just got to recognise that politics is about people exchanging views.
“You are not above the fray. If you want to stand for election, do so. Otherwise, try to be more neutral.”
Fraser then says: “I absolutely reject what you have said and I think there is plenty of evidence to refute that.”
