AN SNP MP has criticised the BBC for "missing the point" in one of its headlines.
MP for the Western Isles (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) Angus MacNeil said that those unable to have an electricity meter fitted should access free power by having an electrician give them direct access to the fuse box.
The article discussed how some people in Orkney said they were struggling to move into new homes because firms were refusing to connect them to an electricity supply.
This comes as rising energy costs are thought to be leading to reluctance from suppliers when it comes to taking on new customers.
The BBC posted an article about MacNeil's comments titled: “Western Isles MP criticised over ‘hook up for free electricity’ plan."
Speaking to The National, MacNeil said: “The BBC should have pointed out that the call was for people to get free energy until the meters are sorted.
“They're playing games saying I’ve been criticised. If they wanted to say, ‘MP criticised by Ofgem,’ I’d have been happier.
“They’re trying to belittle the point and play political games which is why I took to Twitter to give them both barrels for their crass stupidity.”
Doh daft BBC Scotland strangely missing the point! 🙈🙄 If customers can't be given electricity meters, they should NOT be left without electricity! Obvs not every Johnny connecting for themselves 🙈🤣 BUT yes meter free until meter people at OVO Energy sort themselves out!! https://t.co/wX8xXPr9Dx
— Angus B MacNeil MP🇺🇦 (@AngusMacNeilSNP) August 3, 2022
In the comment’s section of the BBC’s original tweet, MacNeil said it was an “unreal headline in a serious issue”.
MacNeil said that customers were being let down and should consider taking action themselves although stressed that this would need to be done by a qualified electrician.
He continued: “BBC headline writers are more interested in playing politics than communicating stories.
“If that’s what they want to do that’s fine but the public should know that the BBC does politics now.”
The MP has been raising the issue surrounding the supply of meters with the UK Government and Ofgem since the start of the year.
He told The National: “I’ve been in touch with Ofgem since January and they’ve done very little so people meanwhile should be given free energy and they shouldn’t be held back.
“That alone should make OVO Energy buck up their act. They just don’t have people on the ground to do the job.
“It’s the usual Thatcherite economics of cutting to the bone and then finding you haven’t much of a skeleton left to do anything with.
“It’s time to get some action on this and given Ofgem are doing nothing and companies like OVO are sitting back and not caring, people should just have stuff connected directly from the mains to the fuse box.”
An Ofgem spokesperson said: “We would urge any consumer who is worried about their electricity connection to contact local suppliers, as suppliers are obligated under our robust rules to connect a home following a consumer request."
The BBC has been contacted for comment.
