MOSTLY MARTHA

*
If you want to hear BBC bias in full flow just take a listen to the closing politicians' panel on today's The World at One http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qzp7z.
*
Martha Kearney did everything in her power to disrupt Conservative Nick Herbert (a pet-project of mine!), especially to stop him from going on the attack over Lord Ashcroft. Interruptions flew at him. Nonetheless he challenged anti-Tory BBC political correspondent Norman Smith's spin (which had prefaced the discussion) and denounced the BBC's bias over the issue. Martha quoted Monday's gentle chat with Lord Paul as proof that the BBC hasn't been biased (!) but one very feeble swallow doesn't make a summer and there's been nothing but winter and not a swallow in sight at the BBC over the issue of Labour's questionable donors for many, many months. Mr Herbert was also up against Hilary Benn and Jo Swinson, though they were (as you can see) the least of his worries! Martha allowed Mr Benn especially all the space he needed to have a good go at the Conservatives. (At least he was brief about it).
*
The interruption coefficients were:
*
Nick Herbert - 2.0
Hilary Benn - 0.4
Jo Swinson - 0
*
Andrew Neil remains the only one of the big names at the BBC to ask tough questions of all sides. (Eddie's away, leaving the dreadful Carolyn Quinn in charge of PM).