Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Drink ‘scourge’ of his area
Alex Neil has “grave concerns” about plans to film an episode of the popular TV programme Antiques Roadshow from Buckfast Abbey, over fears it will promote the controversial drink.
The Airdrie MSP has labelled the tonic wine “the scourge of my constituency” and says he will be writing to the BBC ahead of the show airing later this year.
Presenter Fiona Bruce will be joined by a team of experts at the ancient religious site on September 13 for an edition celebrating the abbey’s 1000th anniversary.
But Mr Neil says the location is inappropriate due to concerns over the “dangerous” drink – including its link to a staggering 43.4 per cent of offences committed by Scottish prisoners.
The MSP said: “Buckfast has been the scourge of my constituency and elsewhere in central Scotland for a great number of years now, so I have grave concerns about the BBC giving its makers the glare of positive publicity.
“They are supposed to act with a degree of social responsibility and I think this is the last location they should take their cameras to.
“They must give a commitment that it is not going to give this dangerous drink a free advert.”
Mr Neil, who last year called for Buckfast to cut their 37mg per 100ml caffeine content, added: “I think people should protest to the BBC and try to get them to change their mind because clearly this sends out the wrong signal, particularly to young people. “I will be writing to the BBC. If they cannot cancel filming at Buckfast Abbey, I will at least be seeking an undertaking that they are not in any way advertising or supporting the promotion of Buckfast tonic wine.” Former Airdrie MP and Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell – now serving in the Lords – was one of the first campaigners to call for the monks to stop selling Buckfast in Scotland. She said: “The BBC have to be responsible in how they handle this.” Buckfast distributors J Chandler and Co reported a pre-tax profits rise of more than £750,000 to £4.3million last year. J Chandler sales boss Stewart Wilson said: “When Alex Neil was in the Cabinet, we wrote to him when he was the health secretary to ask if the Scottish Government held any concerns around our product and we received a letter to say there was no issue. “So, we are somewhat surprised he now seems to have a vendetta against us.” A spokeswoman for Buckfast Abbey added: “We are looking forward to welcoming the Antiques Roadshow in September.”