THE BBC has responded to a backlash after one of its Radio Scotland presenters said Nicola Sturgeon was “not a human being”.
Kaye Adams made the comment during a discussion about the UK Covid Inquiry on her “Mornings with Kaye Adams” show on BBC Radio Scotland on Wednesday.
Kelly Given, the National columnist, had appeared on the show to argue in defence of Sturgeon.
The former first minister was under fire for not having kept her WhatsApp messages from during the pandemic, however much of her informal communication at the time was passed to the inquiry as it was retained by the people she spoke to.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon called Boris Johnson a 'f****** clown', WhatsApp messages reveal
Given said: “Nicola Sturgeon has submitted evidence to this inquiry, she’s submitted her informal messaging, and I think we need to take that at face value, she’s done that.
“Why are we holding these people to account as if they’re not human beings? Nicola Sturgeon got a new phone or deleted her messages or whatever …”
Here, Adams cut in to say: “Because in this instance they’re not human beings, they’re politicians."
Given responded: "Politicians are human beings."
The comment led to a backlash online, with senior SNP MP Pete Wishart calling it “absolutely shocking”.
The Perth and North Perthshire MP added: “I hope @BBCScotland think about an apology, or at least some sort of correction, for this.”
However, asked to respond to Wishart’s comments, a BBC spokesperson said Adams’s intervention had been taken “out of context” and did not apologise.
The spokesperson said: "This comment was made as part of a wider discussion on the Covid inquiry and in particular holding politicians to account for decisions made during this time.
“Taking the comment out of context in this way is not a fair reflection of the discussion throughout the morning.
“Of course our presenters don’t believe politicians aren’t human, the point being made was that they also hold elected office, as was completely clear to anyone listening to the full programme, as opposed to a short clip of it.”
The full exchange is available on the BBC Sounds app. It was broadcast at around 9:55am on the Mornings with Kaye Adams show on January 24 and can be found here.
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