SEVEN months after he complained to the broadcasting regulator about a Baroness Ruth Davidson interview on BBC Radio 4, a reader of The National is still waiting for a decision from Ofcom.
The former Scottish Tory leader appeared in a 12-minute segment at the top of the World at One (Wato) on February 28 before the anticipated, but postponed, appearance of Alex Salmond before the committee that was investigating the Scottish Government’s handling of harassment allegations against him.
John Parker complained to the BBC because he said Davidson had been given more than five minutes to makes allegations of institutional corruption – without any serious challenge.
Before Davidson was interviewed, the programme segment featured reports from Sarah Smith, BBC Scotland editor, and political correspondent Nick Eardley.
READ MORE: Ofcom continues to consider complaint against BBC's Ruth Davidson segment
She then went on to say there were questions about whether Scotland’s democratic institutions were corrupt.
Parker, who is English and resident in Wales, recorded and transcribed the segment, and said: “All in all, a very one-sided and tendentious presentation to be making with Holyrood elections just a few weeks away.”
The BBC knocked back his complaint at every level and he took it to Ofcom, but has voiced his frustration at the time the regulator is taking to investigate it.
They told him it would be published in an online bulletin after the August bank holiday weekend, but it did not appear, claiming it was “still being assessed”.
We have been in regular contact with Ofcom, who told us yesterday it was still under assessment, but gave no explanation for the length of time it was taking.
Parker has also been keeping an eye on Ofcom’s website and said he has seen many investigations launched after February 28 which have already been assessed and decisions issued.
He added: “For me the February 28 World at One item was a disgrace, and the BBC should be held to account for it.”
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