The news which broke yesterday that John Bercow has discussed Brexit with David Sassoli, president of the European parliament, in private has struck many people as being a story of potentially huge importance.
According to The Times, Mr Sassoli told MEPs yesterday that “Speaker Bercow and I were very much on the same wavelength regarding the importance of the roles of our respective parliaments in managing Brexit. We share an awareness that a chaotic exit of the United Kingdom . . . would work to the detriment of citizens on both sides.”
So has the EU been bypassing the UK government and talking directly to John Bercow about how to delay Brexit?
I think we should be told (including by Mr Speaker).
Now, back on blog-related matters, some are saying that the BBC has ignored the story.
I think we should be told (including by Mr Speaker).
Now, back on blog-related matters, some are saying that the BBC has ignored the story.
Using TV Eyes, I've checked yesterday's UK TV coverage and found that the story was discussed on Kay Burley and Mark Austin's programmes on Sky (twice on Kay Burley's show) and on ITV's Peston programme (an interview with Andrea Leadsom) but that Mr Sassoli and Mr Bercow's conversation didn't get any mention on BBC TV.
As for UK radio, TV Eyes shows lots of talk about it on LBC and Talk Radio but there's been nothing about it on BBC radio.
So, yes, it does look as if the BBC is ignoring the story.
If anyone hears or sees the BBC mentioning it (as TV Eyes isn't infallible) please let us know.
.... Mr Sassoli told MEPs yesterday that “Speaker Bercow and I were very much on the same wavelength regarding the importance of the roles of our respective parliaments in managing Brexit. We share an awareness that a chaotic exit of the United Kingdom . . . would work to the detriment of citizens on both sides.”...
ReplyDeleteThis is a matter of public record from the proceedings of the European Parliament. If a doctor or solicitor had failed to disclose information in the way the BBC as national broadcaster have, they would be accused of professional negligence. The BBC's failure to report has moved beyond bias to negligence.
Perhaps the BBC story was written in invisible ink, like the Japanese student's essay that did make the front page?
ReplyDeleteBut hasn’t the EU been very obviously bypassing the UK Government for a long time ?
ReplyDeletewe’ve seen Grieve, Clark, Corbyn talking to the EU. Blair also. Of course non of this is much mentioned by the BBC.
Neither is that fact that Dominic Grieve received from the French state a Legion d'honneur for his services, is a regular boradcaster in French media, has a French mother and has a French home.
DeleteFor some reason, none of that is deemed of any interest or relevance to his stance on Brexit whatsoever.