BBC Breakfast: Sally Nugent is recognised for award on show
![UP NEXT]()
UP NEXT
Nicola Sturgeon will give evidence at the Alex Salmond Inquiry as MSPs determine what she knew about the Scottish Government's botched handling of complaints made against her predecessor. SNP leader Ian Blackford joined Dan Walker on BBC Breakfast to discuss potential consequences for the First Minister but viewers weren't impressed with the broadcaster's coverage of the inquiry.
Walker began: "Nicola Sturgeon under a bit of pressure, that inquiry she will be giving her evidence today from 9am. Do you agree that she's fighting for her political life today?"
"No I don't," Blackford replied. "I think what you're saying is the worse kind of politicking from the Conservatives.
"This has been a much-postponed appearance from the First Minister at the committee she's been very much looking forward to coming in front of them, she'll of course answer all the questions they put to her.
"This is a situation that will be drawing to a close on the back of the parliamentary investigation and indeed the investigation of the standards commissioner.
Read more: Dan Walker details final moments with Gary Speed before his death
© BBCBBC Breakfast Ian Blackford
© BBCBBC Breakfast Ian Blackford
"And I fully expect we will be looking forward to an election campaign in the next few weeks and that discussion about Scotland's future and the opportunity for people to vote for the SNP, to secure an SNP Government and to look forward to a referendum."
"You say Mr Blackford there's some playing politics going on, the Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross in calling for that vote of no confidence, yes she hasn't given evidence yet," Walker said.
"But he said, 'No evidence she could give will counter the claims of numerous witnesses or refute that her Government ignored the legal advice for months and lost more than £500,000 of taxpayers money in the process.'"
"Yes the problem with that is the narrative that the Conservatives are putting around is not true," Blackford argued.
© BBCBBC Breakfast Ian Blackford
© BBCBBC Breakfast Ian Blackford
"The Lord Advocate in Scotland gave advice to the Scottish Government on the 19 December that the case wasn't statable and they should find a legal route to get a settlement with the former First Minister.
"That's what happened in the first week of January the Government in Edinburgh gave them a timeless manner on the basis of the legal opinion they were given and that's exactly the kind of thing that the First Minister will be going through today.
"It's a bit rich that the Conservatives haven't waited for that scrutiny of the First Minister before they've rushed a judgement I thought we worked on the premise of justice applying in our politics."
"I understand where you're coming from but you seem to be downplaying what will be some serious questions," Walker remarked.
DON'T MISS
Piers Morgan slaps down Kwasi Kwarteng on his 'moral compass' [INSIGHT]
GMB's Dr Hilary warns James Argent over weight loss surgery plans [INTERVIEW]
Piers Morgan urges Prince Harry to 'show compassion' to his brother [VIDEO]
"She will be asked today about breaking the ministerial code about whether there was a plot against Alex Salmond, failure of leadership, looking at harassment policies these are really important questions."
Blackford replied: "I think at the end of the day what's important is the women that came forward.
"We mustn't lose sight of that and it is absolutely crucial that if they are any allegations of harassment or sexual misconduct that they will be treated seriously."
BBC Breakfast viewers weren't impressed with the broadcaster's coverage of the inquiry and took to Twitter to comment.
One infuriated fan tweeted: "The BBC are obsessed with unproven claims about the SNP but totally unperturbed about Tories behaving unlawfully and bunging their mates billions in taxpayer money. One might be forgiven for thinking they're caving in to pressure from the cabinet or simply biased #BBCBreakfast."
"So suddenly when it's a Scottish internal political issue that's nothing to do with the Tories, @BBCBreakfast suddenly becomes interested in interrogating politicians. Utterly corrupt by the BBC," another remarked.
Someone else wrote: "@BBCBreakfast @BBCNews Can you tell me why you are having so much coverage of the politics of Scotland and nothing about the lies and deceit of the Westminster government?
"Asking about breaking ministerial codes which Westminster does with amazing regularity! Are you being paid?"
BBC Breakfast airs on BBC One daily at 6am.