The NUJ has expressed relief after a bid to force the BBC to hand over the so-called “Holyrood Tapes” to Lord Fraser’s inquiry into the cost of the new Scottish Parliament building was defeated.
The motion, put forward by Scottish MSPs, was lost last week.
“We’re delighted that the majority of politicians realised the dangers of trying to force this type of revealing of sources or handing over of material,” said NUJ Scottish organiser Paul Holleran. “We’re shocked at their attempt, but delighted with the outcome.”
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The NUJ earlier blasted Scottish Tories for putting pressure on the BBC to release the tapes – made by Newsnight anchor Kirsty Wark’s production company Wark Clements – examining why the budget for the Scottish Parliament’s home spiralled and ran over schedule.
The union said demands for the tapes of The Gathering Place to be submitted to the inquiry were “an attack on fundamental journalistic principles and practice”.
Holleran said the union would “have fought this the whole way” had the motion not been defeated.
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