‘Not true!’ New SNP broadcast reported to Ofcom watchdog
BROADCASTING watchdog Ofcom could launch an investigation into the SNP’s latest party political broadcast following claims it ‘misleads’ voters.
Nicola Sturgeon stars in the short film, in which party-goers discuss policies they claim were introduced by the Nationalists.
But opponents say several were cited before 2007, when the SNP took office, and have criticised it for taking credit.
Concerns have also been raised over the ‘Trumpian tactics’ used by the party after claims it launched a ‘dangerous’ attack on freedom of speech in the video, broadcast on Thursday night.
It shows a character named Davey – who bears a striking resemblance to media commentator David Torrance – ask: ‘What has the SNP ever done for us?’ He is then humiliated by partygoers and the First Minister.
The SNP leader leans against a doorway before Davey sprays himself in the face with a can of beer.
The broadcast, which was shown on both the BBC and STV, is a take on the Monty Python sketch ‘What have the Romans ever done for us?’ and was used previously by the SNP in 2011.
Davey is apparently silenced by partygoers who list a range of SNP ‘triumphs’ including the introduction of the Baby Box – but yesterday questions were raised over how many had been introduced by the Nationalist Government. According to the Lib Dems, claims of protecting bus passes for the elderly, introducing free personal care and scrapping tuition fees were ‘either untrue or misleading’.
In the video, a party-goer
‘A worrying development’
claims the SNP had acted to protect free buses for pensioners in Scotland. The concessionary cards were introduced by the last Labour-led administration.
The broadcast also claims free personal care for the elderly was introduced by the SNP – but it was introduced by the Labour-led Government in 2001.
An official complaint has been sent to Ofcom by Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton. The watchdog has 15 days to decide whether or not an investigation will be launched.
Mr Cole-Hamilton said: ‘It’s a worrying development when a governing party use Trumpian tactics to ridicule prominent journalists who rightly scrutinise both their achievements in office, and lack thereof, and challenge the case for independence.
‘The policy of free personal care for the elderly was brought in five years before the SNP took office, in 2002.
‘I believe it is inappropriate and wilfully misleading for a government to claim credit for the achievements of others to bolster its record after ten years of office and to use a free broadcast on public service television to do so.’
An Ofcom spokesman said: ‘We would assess any complaints under our broadcasting rules, before deciding whether to investigate.’
An SNP spokesman said: ‘As the party broadcast demonstrates, the SNP have worked hard to deliver for the people of Scotland.
‘Meanwhile, the few remaining Lib Dems devote their time to conspiracy theories such as this.’