LONDON - Mr Geoffrey Robertson, QC, author of the leading textbook on British media law, said last night he believed the impartiality clause in the broadcasting legislation would prevent ITV from showing a debate exclusively between the leaders of the two main parties, but it should not hamper the BBC.
"It is a grey area, but there is no statutory restraint on the BBC showing the Blair Major debate because the BBC operates under a Royal Charter rather than the Broadcasting Act of 1990. ITV is shackled by the due impartiality clause of the Act which would certainly bind it to invite Paddy Ashdown, probably Sir James Goldsmith and possibly even Screaming Lord Sutch," he said.
