SNP backs down over block on media from leadership hustings
Politicians of all stripes had said the original decision meant the party "hiding from scrutiny" as they pick the next first minister of Scotland.
Wednesday 1 March 2023 04:29, UK
The SNP is to allow journalists to cover the hustings that will determine its new leader and the next first minister of Scotland, after initially blocking the media.
After a joint bid by Sky, ITN, BBC and STV the party has agreed to let one broadcast journalist and pool camera in and one print reporter cover the events.
The U-turn comes after politicians - including the candidates themselves - and journalists hit out at the SNP after the party decided to keep the media out of hustings.
The three candidates will face questions from SNP members at events around the country before casting their votes.
Kate Forbes said she believed in "democracy and transparency" and "none of the candidates have anything to hide".
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Posting on Twitter, the finance secretary added: "In fact [having the media present] would give us a platform to set a positive example for how to have respectful, informed and varied debate."
Fellow candidate, health secretary Humza Yousaf, said he had "no problem with the media seeing any of the hustings", while the third runner in the race, Ash Regan said the trio had "a duty to be held to scrutiny".
The MSP added: "I firmly believe we should allow access and ask that the media carry the proceedings fairly and fully, making them available to all."
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Other parties also had had their say, with Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross saying the SNP was "once again hiding from proper scrutiny".
He added: "The public deserve to hear the priorities of candidates standing to be the next first minister of Scotland."
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar tweeted: "Why don't they want the public to hear from 'the best talents in the SNP'? Embarrassing."
And Labour's shadow Scotland secretary Ian Murray wrote to the party's chief executive, Peter Murrell, demanding a change in policy.
"It is completely unacceptable that such an important contest can be conducted in secrecy, with the people of Scotland given no say whatsoever in choosing their next leader," he wrote.
"The next first minister of Scotland, whoever it may be, should not be chosen behind closed doors, too scared to face the scrutiny of the public. The people of Scotland deserve better."
The last Conservative leadership contest led to no hustings after other candidates dropped out of the race, leaving Rishi Sunak the final choice.
However, their last leadership contest over the summer of 2022 that led to Liz Truss becoming PM saw multiple hustings around the country with the press attending.
Labour's last contest, which saw Sir Keir Starmer take the helm, also had multiple hustings ahead of the final vote.