STV is set to broadcast a televised debate between four Scottish party leaders, it has been announced.
The broadcaster said that SNP leader John Swinney, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, and Scottish LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton will all feature in a 90-minute debate broadcast by the channel on Monday, June 3 from 9pm to 10:30pm.
STV's political editor Colin Mackay is set to oversee proceedings from the broadcaster's Pacific Quay headquarters in Glasgow, grilling each leader in turn before allowing them to cross examine one another.
READ MORE: John Swinney slams ITV for excluding SNP from election debate
It comes after John Swinney said it was "ridiculous" that the SNP were being excluded from ITV's head-to-head debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, which will be broadcast the following day on June 4.
STV's head of news and current affairs, Linda Grimes Douglas, said: “Ahead of major votes like the forthcoming General Election, we know many viewers value having the opportunity to hear political leaders set out their plans for the country and debate the issues that matter most to the electorate.
“STV is pleased to be broadcasting the first leaders’ debate of the election campaign. An in-depth and robust head-to-head, it will likely set the agenda for the coming weeks in Scotland.”
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