THE DUP took a collective decision not to appear on the BBC's Nolan Show because of a "bias" in the programme's coverage of the party's role in the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scandal, one of its MPs has claimed.
Sammy Wilson yesterday told Radio Ulster's Talkback that the party is not "scared of Stephen Nolan's questions" and that party representatives regularly took part in interviews.
The Irish News has previously reported a boycott of the BBC's main political output by DUP leader Arlene Foster.
Both the DUP and BBC have declined to comment on the former first minister's refusal to appear on The View or Sunday Politics for the past two-and-a-half years.
Mr Wilson said he had appeared on the Nolan Show numerous times before its coverage of the RHI scandal began.
"I wasn't worried about the questions he asked me, in fact, the more robust an interview the more I enjoy it – we made a collective decision as a party that we would not participate in the Nolan Show for particular reasons," he said.
"Especially because of the biased way in which we believe the DUP were being singled out by Stephen Nolan and we took the view - 'what is the best way of hurting him? The best way of hurting him is not to appear on his show' and that is what we have done – not because of we are scared of his questions."
A BBC spokesman said that issues relating to RHI "remain a matter of significant public interest".
"We have reported this story and the work of Sir Patrick Coghlin’s Inquiry team with fairness and integrity," the spokesman said.
"Our airwaves remain open to all elected representatives, including the DUP.”
One of the exceptions to the collective DUP boycott is North Antrim MP Ian Paisley, who in his latest contribution to the Nolan Show last week discussed the withdrawal of free television licenses for the over 75s.
