BBC by-election dilemma

BBC chiefs said yesterday that they faced a "dilemma" over how to cover the Hartlepool by-election after claims that the Labour Party is trying to manipulate media coverage of the event.

The Conservative Party accuses Labour of media manipulation in its choice of by-election date. In an attempt to counter the unfair coverage that it fears, it has reminded the BBC of its duty to give equal airtime to the main parties in the run-up to a general election.

A BBC executive said the corporation was already "thinking very hard" about what to do. "Inevitably there's a dilemma about what is the right way of doing this."

The BBC is considering various options. It could cover the by-election unusually heavily during Labour's conference, giving each contender a media platform beyond their worth as judged against normal news values.

Or it could give the Tories and Liberal Democrats airtime during Labour Party conference coverage. But BBC sources said this might set an unwelcome precedent.

Mr Fox said he had "real fears" about the BBC's ability to provide unbiased coverage of the by-election. He said: "Clearly the BBC has been put into a difficult position. But it's a test of whether they will allow themselves to be bullied by Labour or not."

A Labour spokesman said Sept 30 had been chosen because it was the first available date. "We think it's right that the people of Hartlepool get to choose an MP as soon as possible," he added.