BBC faces complaint into impartiality from the Tories

by Claire Billings,, Brand Republic 12-May-03, 08:30

LONDON - The Conservative Party is to file an official complaint to BBC director general Greg Dyke, accusing the BBC of biased political coverage of his party.

Conservative Party chairman Theresa May is understood to be preparing a dossier of incidents showing evidence of impartiality by the BBC.

The complaint will focus on the broadcaster's coverage of the local elections on May 1, when the Tory party alleges it switched its measure of the Conservatives' success to a percentage of votes rather than seats won.

The BBC reported that the party had only enjoyed marginal success in the elections, when it had, in fact, gained 565 seats.

"We will be seeking meetings at the most senior level once we have finished analysing the coverage," May said.

Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith revealed his displeasure at the BBC's treatment of the party at an away day for Conservative MPs in Buckinghamshire over the weekend.

He said the BBC's coverage of the elections was not just "an aberration", but that it "happens all the damn time".

"They set their mind about how they perceive you and report you and do nothing but report you in that light. They should be news led," he said.

The BBC said it would investigate the complaint once it was received, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

The issue of political impartiality is particularly sensitive for the BBC because Dyke and chairman Gavyn Davies are both former Labour supporters and donors.

The BBC tried to appease right-wing critics by appointing Tory chief whip Lord Ryder of Wensum as vice-chairman of the corporation.

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