‘You’re shielding them!’ BBC bias row erupts after presenters fail to point out Labour’s role in Birmingham bin strike chaos
The BBC has been accused of bias after presenters failed to mention Labour’s role in the ongoing Birmingham bin crisis.
Rubbish continues to go uncollected days after council bin workers gave the greenlight to more industrial action by overwhelmingly rejecting Birmingham’s latest offer.
The industrial action, which began on March 11, has already lasted over a month with no immediate end in sight.
Whilst interviewing the leader of Birmingham City Council, the BBC failed to mention the role of the Labour Party – who make up a majority in the local authority.
The programme on Radio 4 lasted for three hours and not once was Labour’s role in the crisis raised.
Labour councillor John Cotton was also introduced as “the leader of Birmingham city council” and he did not mention that he represented the Labour Party.
Asked if he accepted personal responsibility for the crisis, he said: “I was brought in by my party to address some historic problems with this council … issues around the budget, issues around equal pay, issues around the quality of services.
“I have been focused on delivering that as the leader of this council, and will continue to do so.”
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Stuart Andrew, the Shadow Culture Secretary, said that the BBC was “shielding the Labour Party from criticism”.
He said it was down to “Labour’s disastrous management of Birmingham” that the calamity had escalated but that the broadcaster had failed to question them on this.
Andrew added that “with local elections approaching, and other areas at risk of becoming ‘another Birmingham’ under Labour, the public deserves a national broadcaster that tells the full story – and the truth about who is responsible”.
The dispute centres on Birmingham City Council’s decision to remove waste recycling and collection officer roles from some workers and implement cuts to their pay.
Unite union described the council’s recent proposal as “totally inadequate” as it failed to address workers’ concerns about potential pay cuts.
The union’s national lead officer Onay Kasab revealed that 97 per cent of those who voted rejected the council’s deal, on a 60 per cent turnout.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has also called in the British Army to assist with the crisis, with some being assigned to provide temporary “logistical support”.
There have been warnings of a public health emergency, with claims that rats “bigger than cats” are now thriving among the mounting piles of waste.
The BBC said: “The Today programme has covered this dispute from all sides in great detail over recent days, including interviews with representatives from the union and Birmingham City Council, and criticisms from local residents. This morning’s programme featured a robust interview with the Council leader, which questioned him about his responsibility and sought to get answers on the likelihood of a resolution with the union.”