BBC blasted for ‘bias’ in big row over Birmingham bin disaster | Politics | News | EUROtoday

The BBC has been accused of “shielding the Labour Party from criticism” over the Birmingham bin disaster. Radio 4’s flagship Today programme didn’t point out that Labour was in command of Birmingham City Council throughout Wednesday’s episode, which featured a number of objects on the strikes, together with an interview with the native authority’s chief John Cotton.

Members of Unite walked out on March 11 in a dispute over pay and jobs, resulting in garbage piling up within the streets. Tory Shadow Culture Secretary Stuart Andrew instructed The Telegraph: “This looks like yet another case of the BBC shielding the Labour Party from criticism. Thanks to Labour’s disastrous management of Birmingham and their refusal to stand up to their union paymasters, residents are being plagued with rats the size of cats and streets overflowing with rubbish reportedly weighing more than the Eiffel Tower.

“Yet in a three-hour programme, which even featured an interview with the council leader, the BBC failed to mention once that Birmingham City Council is run by Labour.” Mr Andrew added that “with local elections approaching, and other areas at risk of becoming ‘another Birmingham’ under Labour, the public deserves a national broadcaster that tells the full story – and the truth about who is responsible”.

During the three-hour present, the broadcaster didn’t spotlight that the under-fire city corridor is Labour-run.

Mr Cotton was launched as “the leader of Birmingham City Council” and requested if he accepted duty “personally” for the bins row.

He replied: “I was brought in by my party to address some historic problems with this council … issues around the budget, issues around equal pay, issues around the quality of services.

“I have been focused on delivering that as the leader of this council, and will continue to do so.”

A BBC spokeswoman mentioned on Wednesday: “The Today programme has covered this dispute from all sides in great detail over recent days, including interviews with representatives from the union and Birmingham City Council, and criticism from local residents.

“This morning’s programme featured a robust interview with the council leader, which questioned him about his responsibility and sought to get answers on the likelihood of a resolution with the union.”