Scottish National Party MP Mhairi Black has delivered a scathing condemnation of the BBC's latest political drama 'Counsel', branding it as "unionist propaganda" that deliberately misrepresents Scottish political realities.
During a passionate speech in the House of Commons, the SNP's Westminster deputy leader accused the national broadcaster of using the drama to promote a biased political agenda that undermines Scottish democracy and misleads viewers about the true nature of Scottish politics.
Dramatic Distortion of Scottish Politics
The controversial drama, which follows the professional and personal lives of politicians and their legal advisers, has drawn fierce criticism for its portrayal of Scottish political figures and institutions. Black argued that the programme presents a fundamentally distorted view that serves unionist interests.
"The BBC has a responsibility to provide balanced and accurate programming," Black stated, "but 'Counsel' crosses the line into outright political propaganda that misrepresents the Scottish political landscape and the motivations of those who serve within it."
Broader Concerns About BBC Impartiality
The SNP MP's criticism extends beyond the drama itself to wider concerns about the BBC's approach to Scottish coverage. Black highlighted what she described as a persistent pattern of bias in how Scottish political matters are reported and dramatised by the broadcaster.
This isn't the first time the BBC has faced accusations of political bias in its drama output. However, Black's intervention represents one of the most direct challenges from a sitting MP regarding the broadcaster's entertainment programming.
Growing Tensions Over Media Representation
The controversy comes amid ongoing tensions between the Scottish government and UK broadcasting institutions over representation and impartiality. Many Scottish politicians have expressed concerns that London-based media outlets frequently fail to accurately reflect Scottish political perspectives.
Black's comments have ignited fresh debate about the role of public service broadcasters in representing all parts of the United Kingdom equally and whether entertainment programming should be subject to the same impartiality standards as news coverage.
The BBC now faces increasing pressure to address these concerns as the debate over Scottish representation in UK media continues to intensify.
