Scottish Socialist Party
National Office
70 Stanley Street
Kinning Park
Glasgow
G41 1JB

Press Release: 01/06/04


STV and Grampian back down in broadcast row – SSP message will be shown unedited

On the eve of court action the broadcasters STV and Grampian have backed down in the row with the SSP over their Party Political Broadcast.
Reference is made to Tony Blair “lying through his teeth” over Iraq in the course of the 5 minute mini-drama and STV/Grampian had threatened to block it being shown if the SSP did not remove the sentence.
The SSP have resolutely stuck to their principles and refused to bow to political censorship. Tony Blair did lie to justify the invasion of Iraq. He is therefore a liar.
The SSP had instructed junior counsel to lodge a petition to overturn STV and Grampian in court today but they backed down at the last minute. The SSP are both pleased and angry.
SSP National Convenor, Tommy Sheridan said:
“The SSP have been totally vindicated in our stand against political censorship. STV and Grampian have acted disgracefully in forcing us to organise court action to secure the freedom to have our broadcast shown.
“They backed down at the last minute before being defeated in court but the whole process has cost us money we can ill afford to waste.
“At least STV and Grampian viewers will now be allowed to watch the best broadcast of the election along with those of BBC.”
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