Tory chief complains to BBC of bias

The Tories have secretly written to the heads of the BBC to complain of bias in their election coverage.

Co-chairman Liam Fox wrote to BBC director-general Mark Thompson alleging bias in some current affairs programmes, the Evening Standard has learned.

Although sniping about unfair coverage is routine at a junior level, a letter from a party chairman was seen as "a heavy duty" intervention. It prompted concern among broadcasters of a re-run of the damaging feud between former Tory chairman Lord Tebbit and the BBC during the late-Eighties.

The Tories seemed to be trying to avoid a major public row with the corporation. A party spokesman confirmed Dr Fox had sent the letter but refused to disclose its contents.

"Liam has written to the BBC setting out some concerns but it is not a public letter we are releasing," said the spokesman.

However, the Tories have prepared themselves for any conflict by investing in staff and equipment to mount a round-the-clock monitoring operation of all the main broadcasters.

Relations between the BBC and the Conservatives went into crisis 19 years ago after Lord Tebbit complained about coverage of the US bombing on Libya.

He set up a "BBC watch'' with officials monitoring all broadcasts and news programmes for alleged bias.