Like Holocaust denial?

I didn't expect to be on the subject of the BBC again so soon.

Yesterday the Daily Express published an interview with David Bellamy, the Botanist. I was amazed to read that he had not appeared on the BBC for 10 years, after being a regular programme maker and presenter over many years. He has also been shunned by fellow scientists and environmentalists.

I assumed that he had retired, or perhaps was handicapped by a major health problem, but no, the reason he gives for the abrupt end to his association with the broadcaster was his refusal to accept the thesis of man-made global warning.

He certainly did not follow the line laid down by the BBC, - he differed fundamentally on the likely success of wind-farm produced electricity also.

He may be quite wrong, as could be the view peddled by the BBC. The state broadcaster, however, with an almost religious fervour does not wish a balanced debate, presumably because there is not enough proper scientific evidence to convince anyone either way.

What they are doing is to gag a highly respected man who still claims to be "green" and concerned to protect the biodiversity of the world., and still campaigns actively. This may even be counter-productive, as I suspect that there is something weak in a case where honest debate is not to be allowed. I myself have moved from acceptance of the "doomster' view, to one of "Unless I can see the evidence presented by both sides, I am unwilling to commit myself."

Perhaps the most worrying thing is that the national broadcaster, which claims to represent all sections of society, denies airtime to views which its hierarchy do not accept. The BBC is becoming part of the "thought police", rather than an honest and impartial reporter.