SNP MP complains about plans to make ‘distinctly British’ TV programs | Politics | New
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John Nicolson, the SNP’s media spokesman, made the remarks in a letter to Culture Minister Nadine Dorries after her predecessor John Whittingdale said the BBC should make more “quintessentially British” programs. Speaking last week, Mr Whittingdale called on Ofcom to develop a definition of ‘quintessentially British’ so that public service broadcasters meet their obligations.
But Mr Nicolson, MP for South Perthshire, however said some people in Scotland “might not feel British”
In the letter, Mr Nicolson added: âSurely it is not the job of the program producers to convey Britishness in a forced and artificial way?
“They may feel British, but proclaiming their national identity, whether relevant or not, seems awkward and awkward.”
The MP added: âThe tone of former UK Culture Minister John Whittingdale was grossly inappropriate with his flag and chauvinism. “
But a Scottish Tory spokesman said: ‘It is hardly surprising to see an SNP MP contesting a plan to promote the UK.
âNationalist representatives have previously tried to force an arts organization to remove the UK’s name from their name and demanded that the word Great Britain be banned from a festival.
âSurely John Nicolson has more pressing issues to deal with as we recover from the pandemic, rather than engaging in this kind of generally petty politics. “
Lib Dem Scottish Affairs spokeswoman Wendy Chamberlain said: âThere is a certain irony in an SNP spokesperson telling someone else to lower the flag.
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“I’m proud to be both Scottish and British. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. And culturally, whether it’s Love Island or Vigil, Bake Off or Des, television is appealing. across the UK.
“Rather than spending its time trying to keep people apart, the SNP should focus on the issues that affect everyone when they don’t keep their election promises such as health and education.”
It comes after a row has erupted over the future of the Scottish film industry following a decision by the BBC to send control of the key production space for films to London.
Concerns were expressed that space from BBC Pacific Quay, home of BBC Scotland, was being transferred to another part of the broadcaster not based north of the border, which could lead to job losses.
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The Holyrood Culture Committee said the Scottish screen industry has long lacked a dedicated and purpose-built screen studio and the MSPs have urgently recommended the introduction of studio capacity additional.
In a letter, SNP MSP Clare Adamson said: âThe committee also took note of recent media reports on the possible transfer of Studio A and Studio B to the BBC Scotland Pacific Quay site under the control of BBC Studioworks, a subsidiary BBC commercial.
“The Committee is concerned about the possible transfer of the two studios of BBC Scotland Pacific Quay under the control of BBC Studioworks in the context of the issues raised in the old document on the screen sector in Scotland.
“In particular, the role of the BBC in taking a central role in supporting the Scottish screen industry.
“Any loss of jobs, training and skills in the sector would also be of concern to the Committee.”
Steve Carson, director of BBC Scotland, later said no such action had been taken.
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