AN SNP minister has called out the BBC for a perceived “lack of respect” shown to the First Minister.
Kevin Stewart, who represents Aberdeen Central at Holyrood, took to Twitter to highlight what he saw as a discrepancy in the way the corporation reports on Boris Johnson and Nicola Sturgeon.
Sharing two images of two BBC stories, Stewart wrote: “I don’t normally moan about the BBC, but compare the headlines. PM & Sturgeon.
“This lack of respect for the First Minister is now beginning to grate.”
I don’t normally moan about the BBC, but compare the headlines. PM & Sturgeon. This lack of respect for the First Minister is now beginning to grate. pic.twitter.com/g250SrWr7n
— Kevin Stewart SNP (@KevinStewartSNP) September 6, 2021
Explaining their concern, one Twitter user commented that "by using Sturgeon the article invokes a sense of informality in the reader. The PM however sounds strong and like a leader?"
Other social media users said the issue highlighted by the SNP minister was not a new one. One user shared another example, commenting: “One of the starkest from July 2020.”
One of the starkest from July 2020 pic.twitter.com/UATqA1vKSW
— Calum 🏴🍍 (@calumjmack) September 7, 2021
Another user wrote: “The SNP should officially moan more often. This has been going on forever.”
Others pointed out to Stewart, who is currently the Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, that the UK has three first ministers, one in each devolved nation, but only one Prime Minister.
BBC reporter Kevin Keane replied to Stewart’s post: “With respect, Kevin, I’d say two things.
“Firstly, there’s only one PM but three FMs. Secondly, leaders have been referred to by their surnames forever. Biden, Merkel, Macron, Blair, Major, Thatcher, Churchill etc. It’s not a sign of disrespect at all.”
The BBC has been approached for comment.
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