MSP in plea to BBC over Buckfast filming plan
A TOP politician has urged BBC bosses to ditch plans to film the Antiques Roadshow at Buckfast Abbey – over fears it may promote the controversial drink.
Presenter Fiona Bruce will be heading to the historic site near Buckfastleigh, Devon, on September 13 to film the BBC show for an edition celebrating the abbey’s thousand-year anniversary.
But former Scottish health secretary Alex Neil has criticised the public broadcaster for “even inadvertently” advertising the tonic wine by hosting the show there.
The Airdrie MSP says the tonic wine has had a damaging impact on his constituency and is now urging the BBC to change location.
He said: “My concern is that this programme could be used, even inadvertently, to advertise Buckfast.
“Viewers might get the impression that the BBC is endorsing Buckfast as a product.
“Clearly this would not be good given the concerns about the effect of Buckfast on the people who drink it
“The important thing is that they make it clear they are not promoting or endorsing Buckfast.
“I think a change of venue would be the best way to achieve this. I am going to write to them about it.”
Mr Neil, who last year called for Buckfast to cut its 37mg per 100ml caffeine content, added: “Excessive caffeine levels in drinks like this can cause people to misbehave.”
In a letter to the Director General of the BBC, Lord Hall, Mr Neil said: “For many years there has been great concern in Scotland about the sale of Buckfast and its adverse impact on the behaviour of those who drink it, owing to its excessive caffeine content, etc.
“A lot of anti-social behaviour is caused by the use of this drink.
“By using this Abbey as a location of this (excellent) programme it could send out the wrong message, especially to young people, that the BBC was giving respectability and credibility to this drink.
“I would strongly urge you not to use this location; or if you insist on doing so ensure that the BBC makes it clear that it does not in any way endorse the production and sale of this product.”
A spokeswoman for the Antiques Roadshow said that the abbey was chosen for the show because of its historical importance.
She said: “Buckfast Abbey is a site of historical significance, celebrating one thousand years of worship in 2018, and is set in a beautiful landscape in an area of the country that the Roadshow has not visited in some time.
“It also has facilities to cater for the large number of visitors the Roadshow expects to draw to its free, public events.”
BBC sources insisted there will be no on-air promotion of the product.
Stewart Wilson, a spokesman for J Chandler and Co – the manufacturers of Buckfast, was surprised by the remarks of the ex-health secretary. He said: “We’re somewhat surprised my Mr Neil’s comments. We wrote to Mr Neil when he was the health secretary. We received a reply back clearly indicating the Scottish Government has no evidence to suggest that our brand causes any issues.”
A spokeswoman for Buckfast Abbey said that 2018 is a significant year for the abbey. She said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming the Antiques Roadshow. We feel this is a wonderful opportunity for the viewers of Antiques Roadshow to learn more about the life and history of Buckfast Abbey.”