THE BBC has been panned for not including the actual candidates in their Debate Night by-election special.
Wednesday's programme instead featured Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Reform UK councillor Thomas Kerr, Scottish Tory MSP Craig Hoy, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie, Scottish LibDems leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, and Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater.
It comes as Labour’s candidate Davy Russell is under fire for refusing to take part in an STV debate ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on June 5.
The TV debate on June 2 – set to be the only one of the campaign – will now only see the SNP’s Katy Loudon and Reform UK’s Ross Lambie go head-to-head.
An SNP source hit out at the BBC’s decision not to push for the Debate Night’s by-election special to feature local candidates, telling The National that the party had pushed for it with the broadcaster “from the offset”.
“Our fantastic candidate Katy Loudon was up for that debate and very willing to take part,” they said.
“This is a vote to choose the next MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, and it is only right that voters hear from those whose names will be on the ballot paper on June 5.”
The source went on to call the move “unacceptable”.
“The BBC’s decision on this occasion denies the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse the opportunity to hear from those vying to be their next MSP,” they said.
“This is unacceptable and I hope they reflect on this ahead of future programmes.”
The BBC has been approached for comment.
Russell has repeatedly dodged not only the STV debate but also local hustings and radio interviews during the campaign.
It has been insinuated that Labour may have had concerns about Russell’s ability to speak live on TV.
Last week, for example, his contributions to a social media video posted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray had to be heavily edited.
