SHOCK statistics about the numbers of guests on their main political programmes during May show that the BBC is still not recognising the SNP as the third largest party in the UK.

New research by The National showing that the BBC’s political shows discriminate against the SNP in terms of guest appearances may now form the basis of the party’s threat to involve broadcasting regulator Ofcom.

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Mentioning Ofcom, SNP depute leader Keith Brown said the BBC must now cover “Scottish politics properly and the SNP fairly” or face more “robust challenges”.

A sample of five mainly political BBC television programmes – Victoria Derbyshire, Politics Live, Question Time, Newsnight, the Andrew Marr Show – showed that Tory politicians appeared 102 times in total, with Labour notching 53 appearances, the Liberal Democrats 13 and the SNP just seven – the same number as Change UK/The Independent Group and two behind the Brexit Party.

In addition, Any Questions? on BBC Radio Four also neglected the SNP. The tally of the programmes so far this year, shows that in the 20 broadcast to date, the SNP has had just three appearances. That compares to 20 each for Labour and the Tories, six for the LibDems, and three each for Change UK and the Brexit Party.

Indeed LibDem MP Layla Moran has been on the same number of times this year as all of the SNP guests put together but Joanna Cherry MP was due to appear on Any Questions? last night.

The issue of these guest appearances is seen by SNP insiders as crucial. The party leadership hope that by highlighting BBC activity now, the next independence referendum will see fairer coverage of the Yes case.

May was an important month to analyse because of the European Parliament elections across the UK and the local elections in England.

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Ofcom’s guidelines on broadcasters’ duties in their coverage at election time state: “Due weight must be given to the coverage of parties and independent candidates during the election period.

“In determining the appropriate level of coverage to be given to parties and independent candidates broadcasters must take into account evidence of past electoral support and/or current support.

“Broadcasters must also consider giving appropriate coverage to parties and independent candidates with significant views and perspectives.”

The “election period” as defined by Ofcom for European parliamentary elections begins with the last date for publication of the notice of election, which is 25 days before the polling day.

SNP sources say the party’s runaway victory in the European Parliament elections must surely influence the BBC’s future decisions on coverage. There is also genuine disappointment that what appeared to be better coverage of the party earlier this year has now gone backwards.

Brown said: “The BBC’s key political programmes have gone back to their bad old ways; last month they seriously under-represented the SNP.

“It seems the BBC has utterly failed to appropriately handle the arrival of new political parties, given them space at the SNP’s expense, promoted the LibDems with unprecedented airtime and yet have still committed almost half of their guest slots to Tory politicians.

“For this to happen in May, within the final three weeks of an election period, is deeply worrying and we believe is in breach of Ofcom’s rules on due prominence.

The party has a number of live complaints with the BBC, there are more to follow, and we await their replies with interest.

“This is just the start, either the corporation covers Scottish politics properly and the SNP fairly or they can expect more robust challenges to come.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “Counting appearances over a limited period and lumping different programmes together indiscriminately is not a measure of impartiality.

“It creates a crude and distorted picture without taking into consideration the wider news agenda.

“Our coverage of the SNP has been appropriate and includes appearances across our main political programmes,” they added.

How many politicians from each party featured on the BBC’s top political shows in May?

Victoria Derbyshire

Tory: 12

Lab: 8

SNP: 1

Lib D: 2

TIG: 1

Green: 1

Plaid: 1

DUP: 0

UKIP: 2

Brexit: 1

Politics Live

Tory: 15

Lab: 10

SNP: 2

Lib D: 3

TIG: 2

Green: 2

Plaid: 1

DUP: 0

UKIP: 0

Brexit: 2

Newsnight

Tory: 65

Lab: 26

SNP: 2

Lib D: 5

TIG: 2

Green: 2

Plaid: 1

DUP: 1

UKIP: 1

Brexit: 3

Question Time

Tory: 5

Lab: 5

SNP: 1

Lib D: 2

TIG: 1

Green: 0

Plaid: 0

DUP: 0

UKIP: 0

Brexit: 2

Other: 9

Andrew Marr

Tory: 5

Lab: 4

SNP: 1

Lib D: 1

TIG: 1

Green: 1

Plaid: 1

DUP: 0

UKIP: 0

Brexit: 1

Other: 1