A SPOKESPERSON for the Jeremy Vine show has claimed that the segment where Nicola Sturgeon was described as a “power mad despot” was "balanced".
Channel 5 has been condemned for the move where the panellists were asked if the First Minister should be in charge of the UK’s coronavirus response.
WATCH: Nicola Sturgeon branded a 'despot' in scandalous Jeremy Vine show clip
The host complained that different “rules of six” in each of the four nations are confusing public health messages. And with the Westminster Government “tied up on Brexit”, Vine asked if it should be left to Sturgeon to oversee a UK-wide strategy.
“Kill me now if she was in charge,” replied panellist Lowri Turner – a former fashion journalist and TV presenter who now works as a nutritionist and hypnotherapist.
She continued: “I used to think she was somebody who makes clear decisions … but she’s absolutely power mad isn’t she?
“Every day she has a different outfit … and she’s stopped saying ‘we’, it’s all ‘I believe’, ‘I think’ … it’s all about her. The power has actually gone to her head.”
READ MORE: Channel 5 and Jeremy Vine blasted over 'uninformed drivel' about Nicola Sturgeon
Vine said the description of Sturgeon as a dictator was a “great start” to the debate.
Actor and comedian Eddie Nestor, who was also on the panel, criticised First Minister for wanting to break up the Union, stating: “It doesn’t quite work like that.”
Activist and journalist Ash Sarkar said the prospect of Sturgeon taking over was ridiculous because people in the rest of the UK didn’t vote for Sturgeon.
Linaire, from Fife, pointed out Turner was in no position to call anyone a despot when the UK is run by “an unelected adviser – Mr Cummings – and a man who’s willing to break international treaties”.
Turner, however, stood her ground, denying the attack on Sturgeon was a “low blow”.
She instead claimed the FM’s “management style” is “my way or the highway”, adding: “If you like being ordered about, go ahead, I personally don’t like being ordered about – luckily, she doesn’t run my county.”
A spokesperson for Jeremy Vine show said: “The Jeremy Vine programme debates topical issues and this segment discussed the confusion around different Covid protocols across the United Kingdom. There was a balanced view represented during the segment.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel