article_snippet: The former BBC chair Michael Grade accused the broadcasters of using 'bullying' tactics to force the Prime Minister into the debates and said the BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel Four were in danger of breaching strict rules on impartiality.
article_snippet: Tory peer Michael Grade accused the broadcasters of using 'bullying' tactics to force the Prime Minister into the debates and said they were in danger of breaching strict rules on impartiality .
article_snippet: The Labour peer's remarks come after Lord Grade, who served as chairman of the BBC board of governors between 2004 and 2006, defended Cameron for refusing to take part in any debates during the election campaign.
article_snippet: But the threat to empty chair the Prime Minister in the proposed head-to-head against Mr Miliband on 30 April – a week before polling day – was attacked by Lord Grade.
article_snippet: Lord Grade, who left Radio 4's BBC to become executive chairman of ITV, was scathing about the broadcasters handling of the debate negotiations.
article_snippet: In an article in the Times, Lord Grade accused the broadcasters of trying to bully the prime minister by threatening to signal the prime minister absence from the debates with an empty chair.
article_snippet: the prime minister wrote: 'It is bullying, a case of the broadcast media getting way ahead of itself.'
highlights_snippet: Comes after former BBC chief Michael Grade slams TV 'bullying' tactics .
  