Dave Thompson MSP

Eight SNP MSPs from the Highlands and Islands have signed a strongly-worded letter to BBC Scotland protesting at "destructive" job cuts which the Corporation is planning throughout the region.

Michael Russell (Argyll and Bute), Fergus Ewing (Inverness and Nairn), Rob Gibson (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross), Alasdair Allan (Western Isles), Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch), and Highlands and Islands regional MSPs Jean Urquhart, John Finnie and Mike MacKenzie have all told the BBC that they believe its actions threaten to "greatly diminish the essential service" which the BBC provides throughout the Highlands and islands.

Alasdair Allan MSP commented: "It's not just BBC staff themselves who is unhappy about the proposed cuts - everyone who cares about local broadcasting should be concerned that the BBC bosses propose to diminish its number of staff available throughout a huge swathe of Scotland.

"We are also unconvinced that it represents progress for Gaelic broadcasting to cut English language journalists and then ask Gaelic journalists to pick up the slack in addition to their own Gaelic work.

"We are now all seeking a meeting with the chair of the BBC Trust, to ask why, at a time when BBC Scotland should be showing ambition, and developing itself as a real national broadcaster, it is cutting back on such basic services."

Note:

The letter, to Ken MacQuarrie, Director of BBC Scotland, was signed by all eight MSPs, and reads:

"Dear Kenny

"We write as eight SNP MSPs who represent the Highlands and Islands in order to express our opposition to the cuts you propose in BBC News staffing, particularly in the Highlands.

"It seems incredible to us that at a time of huge political importance the BBC in Scotland is coming forward with plans to reduce the number of journalists working for the corporation. We agree with the First

Minister that the BBC should "start behaving like a national broadcaster" and to do that you must invest in the future of the service rather than diminish it.

"We therefore reject your overall proposals but we would agree with those who say that what you plan for the Highlands and Islands is even worse than your plans for the rest of the country.

"We have received representations from your staff in the Highlands which question, with considerable authority, the facts which you have placed in the public domain about both staff numbers and actions you intend to take to support staff continuing in post. These facts also clearly suggest that the reduction in numbers of journalists cannot be compensated for by additional work forced on Gaelic news staff, as appears to be your proposal. Not only are those staff fully occupied at present but also there are geographic and technical limitations to what can be achieved by them. We are also very concerned that such an idea would essentially seek to use Scottish Government resources provided to underpin the Gaelic language for mainstream news reporting which would be, at the least, improper.

"We are also aware that assurances you have recently given regarding the use of V-sat technology in the Highlands have been directly contradicted by your Head of News and Current Affairs who has clearly stated that no such vehicles will be placed in Inverness.

"Overall you have failed to make any coherent case for the changes you propose and we are strongly of the view that these cuts would greatly diminish the essential service the BBC provides to our constituents.

We therefore ask you to accept that they should not be made.

"We would of course welcome an opportunity to put this case to you in person and we would suggest a meeting in Edinburgh to that end. We will be in touch with your office to suggest dates. We are also copying this to the Chair of the BBC Trust and we would welcome a meeting with him to ensure that body is aware of the destructive nature of your proposals"