WHAT THE SNP SAID AFTER THE DECISION WAS PRONOUNCED
SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon said outside court: “We are disappointed that the debate on Thursday night will go ahead without any substantial participation from the SNP.
“I believe that is wrong, it is unfair. We were simply asking for a fair hearing in that debate.
“I believe very strongly in the point of principle we were making.”
Sturgeon went on: “How can we expect people in Scotland to believe we will stand up for them when we don’t stand up for ourselves?
“We have stood up for a very important principle today and I am proud we have done that.
“We have taken a point of principle to the Court of Session today.
“I think we were right to do that. We have to take a stand when we believe debates are being conducted unfairly and I believe the debate that will take place tomorrow night is unfair to the SNP but, more profoundly, to viewers in Scotland, because it misrepresents the choice viewers in Scotland have on May 6.”
The SNP said it was not planning to appeal against the rejection of the interim interdict.
Ken MacQuarrie, who is the director of BBC Scotland, welcomed the ruling.
He said: “We are pleased to be able to bring the prime ministerial debate to the people of Scotland.
“In doing so we recognise the responsibility on us for due impartiality for us and also independence.
“We are pleased that the court recognised that we are discharging these responsibilities well with programming which is of substance and also impartial.”
Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said: “These debates are for the candidates who want to be Prime Minister, everyone knows the SNP can’t win a British General Election.”
