Ian Maxwell cut a very unconvincing figure as he tried to justify switching the kick-off time for the Scottish Cup Final from 3pm to 5.30pm.
Even from the friendly questioning of Chris McLaughlin with both men knowing that suiting the requests of BBC Scotland was behind the decision.
Maxwell fudged it by suggesting that a variety of reasons were behind the decision in order to promote the Scottish game and the profile of the showpiece event.
Ian Maxwell’s claim to government that the Scottish Cup final was moved to “permit a BBC One UK-wide broadcast” now officially debunked. https://t.co/VquqziyAGB
— Grant Russell (@grantrussell_) May 25, 2023
On Tuesday a leaked letter from Maxwell to the Scottish Government claimed that the move would allow the Hampden match to be screened to English audiences.
That claim is clearly not true with Garden Escape being shown after the FA Cup coverage from Wembley concludes.
There is unlikely to be any calls for Maxwell to explain the cup final kick off when the SFA hold their AGM on June 6, calls for his resignation can be discounted. For the third year running there in no sponsor for the Scottish Cup.
Ian Maxwell told government the Scottish Cup final kick-off time was moved to guarantee BBC One shows it UK-wide, and ensure the “visibility of Scottish football’s showpiece occasion.”
But…
In 2022, BBC One outside of Scotland showed Athletics, not our final.
— Grant Russell (@grantrussell_) May 23, 2023
Grant Russell is a former STV reporter now working for West Ham media.
Billy Liar we don’t expect anything less from that BOOZE JOCKEY.
The buck stops at the top. Incompetent ? Definitely. Worse ? Definitely.
“Garden Escape” might be an appropriate itinery!