JACKSON Carlaw has made a formal complaint to BBC Scotland over what he believes to be a pro-SNP bias.

It was reported in the Scottish Daily Mail this morning that the Scottish Tory leader has been angry with the BBC’s coverage over the past few weeks, saying it ignores opposition party views.

The tipping point was said to be a Reporting Scotland interview with Finance Secretary Kate Forbes on her decision to rewrite the business support rules during the coronavirus crisis.

The complaint states that the interview with Laura Goodwin failed to scrutinise the Scottish Government.

A senior party source said: "The last thing we want to do is take journalists to task, because we have immense respect for the important job they do.

“But the situation with BBC Scotland has become unacceptable, and that's why we're reluctantly making these representations. Viewers of its television and radio news deserve to hear from Scotland's main party of opposition and, as it stands, that isn't happening. The BBC has a duty to act on this.”

The complaint was sent to BBC Scotland's head of news Gary Smith and also mentions a Reporting Scotland story where Nicola Sturgeon discussed various aspects of the coronavirus pandemic. Carlaw claimed the report should have mentioned the FM was responding to his questioning.

A source close to Carlaw said: "It's not something we would do lightly but enough is enough. We know the SNP do this and it is time for us to go to war with them as well."

A BBC spokesman reportedly confirmed a complaint had been received.

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