Tories to get 'right of reply'

The BBC looks set to bow to pressure from the Conservatives for an unprecedented "right of reply" during live coverage of the Labour Party conference.

Until now, all three main political parties have enjoyed a virtual right to uninterrupted broadcasts of their conferences without opponents getting a look-in.

But the Tories have written to the BBC arguing that must now change because of Labour's decision to call the Hartlepool by-election on the last day of its conference.

They claim it would be illegal under the Representation of the People Act to give Labour what would amount to free advertising in the run-up to the by-election.

The dispute was brought to a head when Tory chairman Liam Fox wrote to BBC chairman Michael Grade eight days ago hinting at court action unless the broadcasters gave them equal billing during coverage of both the Labour and Liberal Democrat gatherings.

Dr Fox wrote: "It is our understanding that, from the period of issuing the writ until the day of the by-election, political broadcast coverage is governed by Acts of Parliament, including the Representation

of the People Act, broadcast codes, and responsibilities laid on the BBC governors and Ofcom, in order to ensure balance and impartiality of political coverage broadcast in the constituency.

"Coverage of these party conferences in accordance with normal practice, including live coverage and news reports, will make it impossible for the BBC and Ofcom to meet their responsibilities for fair and impartial coverage." The by-election, forced by the departure of Peter Mandelson for a European Commissioner's post, is on 30 September, the last day of Labour's Brighton conference.

Traditionally the BBC devotes up to five hours a day to live coverage of speeches, with the emphasis on internal party debate rather than allowing other parties to comment.

Senior Tories denied they were trying to end live coverage but said the by-election timing looked like a dirty trick. "What Labour has done is despicable and a deliberate attempt to win the by-election by getting hours of speeches on television without challenge," one said.

Privately, senior BBC officials have offered to allow the other parties air time to comment after every speech by ministers, although no decision has yet been taken.

The Conservatives are putting together a special rebuttal unit to prepare instant replies and a team of frontbenchers are on standby to attend their rivals' conferences.