|HOMEPAGE | NEWS | WORLD SERVICE | SPORT | MY BBC||low graphics | help|
|You are in: Vote2001|
Tuesday, 22 May, 2001, 07:33 GMT
Media 'incited protesters'
Labour has accused broadcasters of "inciting and colluding with" anti-government protesters on the election trail.
The party has confirmed that its general secretary Margaret McDonagh has written confidentially to the BBC, ITN and Sky about "genuine concerns" surrounding the coverage of recent protests.
The broadcasters have all denied the accusations.
News of the letter emerged on Tuesday as Labour was set to focus campaigning on the NHS, the Conservatives prepared to launch their manifesto for pensioners and the Liberal Democrats were due to concentrate on devolution.
Labour has so far declined to be drawn on specific complaints against broadcasters.
However there have been unattributed reports that Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott believed television crews had been tipped off by countryside protesters when he lashed out in Rhyl after an egg was thrown at him.
According to the Times newspaper, Labour sources have claimed that some television crews "pushed people in the right direction" in the hope of generating a confrontation such as the one that occurred between Tony Blair and Sharron Storer, the partner of a cancer patient, at a Birmingham hospital.
Ms McDonagh's letter said such alleged behaviour "puts at risk the safety of Labour Party staff, politicians and the public", the newspaper said.
After news of the claims emerged Health Secretary Alan Milburn said although he had not seen it he was convinced "the last thing" voters were concerned about was issues surrounding election coverage.
"I know that people in the media are fixated by the media but what the public tend to be interested in are the big issues: health, education, crime, jobs."
However, the letter has still provided ammunition for the Tories and the Liberal Democrats in their accusations that Labour is out of touch with the feelings of real people.
Conservative Party vice-chairman Tim Collins told BBC News that Labour had "crossed the line" and accused the them of "third world ethics as far as the thuggery and intimidation of dissent is concerned".
Senior Liberal Democrat Malcolm Bruce said without specific allegations and evidence Labour's "whinge" at the media "takes the biscuit".
Senior figures from the broadcasters have met Ms McDonagh to discuss her concerns, but the BBC said it had "no evidence" of any collusion.
ITN and Sky also dismissed the accusation.
Labour's proposals for the future of the NHS, to be announced on Tuesday morning, include an NHS 'university' specialising in the provision of professional skills for health workers.
A commitment to recruit an extra 20,000 nurses will also be announced.
The Conservative campaign will focus on pensioners with a pledge to increase the basic state pension by more than the rate of inflation.
The Lib Dems want to highlight their successes in the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly in an attempt to show the party can make a real difference in government.
They are also expected to keep up attacks on the Conservatives, with leader Charles Kennedy set to say they are "the weakest opposition for over 100 years".
But there was a boost for Mr Hague after the former Conservative prime minister, Lady Thatcher, entered the election fray with a strong endorsement of her successor.
In an interview with the Daily Mail newspaper, she said: "I think William is making a very good job of it".
Elsewhere on Tuesday, the SDLP will launch its election manifesto in Northern Ireland while the Greens kick off their London campaign.
It is also the last day for the delivery of election nomination papers.
|^^ Back to top
VOTE2001 | Main Issues| Features | Crucial Seats | Key People | Parties | Results & Constituencies | Candidates | Opinion Polls | Online 1000 | Virtual Vote | Talking Point | Forum | AudioVideo | Programmes | Voting System | Local Elections
Nations: N Ireland | Scotland | Wales
To BBC News>> | To BBC Sport>> | To BBC Weather>>