Craig Murray Protests at BBC Norwich

Today Craig Murray and some of his supporters protested inside the BBC Television studios in Norwich against the BBC decision to exclude him from the televised hustings debate this evening.

Says Craig Murray "The BBC is doing everything possible to constrain debate, and in particular to give no time to arguments against banking bailouts or aganst the Afghan War, and to corral political opinion back into the safe custody of the major political parties. Even though our campaign is the only interesting thing in Norwich, and even the Sunday Express reports that I am 'head and shoulders above' the other candidates in debate, the BBC is excluding me from their live televised "Candidates' Hustings" on Monday at 22.15.

They are also excluding UKIP. While I disagree with them fundamentally, UKIP also plainly have a right to be heard. The BBC is trying to define the field of politicial debate and choice."

Craig Murray is arguing that the political parties produce careerist MP's who just follow the party line and are in it for the money. By banning Craig Murray from the debate, the BBC are seeking to keep these views from reaching the public.

Murray argues that Electoral Commission rules state that any hustings meeting from which a candidate is excluded should be paid for by the participating candidates which would inevitably take them over the election spending limits. This evenings broadcast is clearly a 'hustings' as defined by electoral legislation.