April fools deadline approaches for BBC

Will BBC Scotland finally revert to objective reporting if Craig Whyte’s Rangers takeover doesn’t happen today?

The BBC have been at the forefront of the publicity machine for the takeover, shifting deadlines time after time without pausing for an explanation.

While every commercial news outlet lives or dies on advertising revenue the BBC live in a licence fee funded bubble and are supposedly more accountable and responsible for their output.

Newspapers and websites thrive on rumour, gossip and flyers which the BBC and others, notably the Scotsman, like to include in their rumour mill and what the papers say features.

The last four months, or even longer, have been bewildering for Rangers supporters as an apparent takeover of their club is staged.

Incredibly the main character in this episode hasn’t uttered a single word in public throughout the past four months.

Sources and insiders have been ten a penny to give the inside take on the drama to the confusion of facts.

In circumstances like this the BBC really should distance themselves from the pack with some authoritative coverage and analysis rather than blowing with the wind and accepting every piece of third hand spin as gospel.

Over four months BBC Scotland, who have recently spent fortunes on the titillation of the Tommy Sheridan trial, have failed to produce any insight into Whyte and his side-kick Andrew Ellis.

Describing Whyte blandly as a millionaire businessman doesn’t provide much information. Interestingly over the last few days most newspapers have downgraded Whyte from a billionaire to a millionaire.

Surely a reported billionaire from Motherwell is worth looking into?

On November 18 the BBC eagerly joined in the takeover frenzy declaring that Whyte: “Would invest major sums if the takeover of the Scottish champions goes ahead,” before contradicting that statement with: “A figure of around £25m would be made available for strengthening the squad over five years.”

Moving on a fortnight to December 3 the BBC reported a meeting had taken place between Whyte and Rangers chairman Al Johnston and declared: “Due diligence is still being carried out and there are differing views on how quickly a deal can be done. But a formal offer could still be submitted this month.”

With the January transfer window coming up there were still expectations of a takeover or at least a formal bid for Sir David Murray’s shares. Neither happened.

On January 7 as Walter Smith announced that a £700,000 deal for Kenny Miller had been accepted some doubts started to form amongst the Rangers support about the alleged takeover.

The BBC were unwavering in their belief that the Whyte deal was on course with Alasdair Lamond stating boldly: “Craig Whyte remains hopeful of concluding his proposed takeover of Rangers before the end of January.

“He had hoped to complete a £33m deal before Christmas, but due diligence has taken longer than Whyte expected.

“He expects that following a period of relative inactivity over the festive period, which he found frustrating, the pace of negotiations will now pick up.

“However, if Whyte can conclude a deal soon, he hopes to be able to help Rangers manager Walter Smith strengthen his squad.”

During the January transfer window Smith was unable to spend a penny but did bring in three players on loan.

Undeterred by seeing another of their deadlines come and go without any sign of a bid or even a word from the mysterious Whyte the BBC charged on regardless into February with Lamont declaring on February 4: “Craig Whyte still keen on Rangers takeover.

“The absence of a formal offer has led to speculation Whyte’s interest had come to nothing. But BBC Scotland understands he hopes to finally take over by mid-March.”

All was quiet as Lamont’s mid-March deadline passing without any formal bid being made with Walter Smith adding a note of realism to the saga.

On March 23 after finally meeting with Whyte the BBC reported Smith saying: “I have no inclination what way things will go. Despite the length of time it’s been going on, it was the first time I met him.

“He wanted to know how the squad is. He knows I’m leaving, so he won’t ask me about the future.”

At a real journalistic push mid March could be extended to the 31^st. Will another BBC deadline pass by without any explanation or even a little investigation into the subject including a look at how Whyte acquired the funds to prepare a takeover bid?

Yesterday the BBC remained undeterred in their conviction that business would be done declaring in their headline: “Rangers takeover bid moves closer after bank talks.”

The BBC report added: “Agreement with the bank would mean that the only remaining hurdle for the venture capitalist is to conclude terms with current owner Sir David Murray. Whyte has been weighing up a deal since November.

“However, it is understood that the conclusion of any such deal would leave Murray responsible for any of Rangers’ remaining tax liabilities.”

A potential tax bill of upto £60m would seem to be quite a major hurdle but not worthy of investigation despite the BBC’s vast resources.

To be fair to the state broadcaster they have been consistent with one detail, every single article about the Takeover has referred to Whyte as a Rangers supporter from Motherwell.

Outwith the BBC it will surprise no-one if Murray remains in charge of Rangers tomorrow morning, April 1.

Once upon a time the word of the BBC carried some clout and was delivered with objectivity.

As the latest takeover sage approaches it’s fifth month without any sort of insight or questioning it has to be hoped that the BBC’s coverage of events in Libya and the upcoming Scottish elections are more accurate and incisive than the third rate spin that they’ve come up with over the Rangers ‘takeover’.

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