PA MediaThe Scottish Green Party has condemned the decision to exclude them from the first televised leaders’ debate of the general election as “outrageous”.
STV will later air a 90-minute segment featuring the Scottish National Party, the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
However, despite having several Scottish MEPs in the Holyrood Assembly, the Green Party does not currently hold a Scottish seat in the Westminster Parliament and so is not represented.
The broadcaster said it was “reassured” the decision met the guidelines set out by TV regulator Ofcom.
Ross Greer, co-chair of the party’s executive committee, has written to STV chief executive Simon Pitts about the programme.
However, BBC Scotland News understands the party has been informed that STV is standing by its decision.
“The Scottish Greens have been one of the country’s top five political parties for over 20 years and it is outrageous that the national broadcaster has excluded us from the leadership debate,” Mr Greer said.
He added that Scotland’s media should “reflect the range of opinions and policies on offer in this election”, rather than offering a “limited” range of options.
An STV spokesman said: “Under the terms of our licence, STV programmes Ofcom Broadcasting Code and rules regarding fairness.
“We are confident that our election coverage, including the leadership debates, meets these guidelines.”
In a letter to Mr Pitt, the Green Party, which was in power through a power-sharing agreement with the SNP, said: Collapse in April – He said that of the four leaders who participated, none actually ran for office.
The letter also argued that the Green Party’s governance and policy record would be criticised without anyone within the party being given the opportunity to defend it.
Ofcom said it was an “editorial issue” for STV to decide.
Appearances on the programme will include SNP First Minister John Swinney, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross and Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton.
Another election debate will be held on BBC Scotland on 11 June.
All five leaders will attend the conference, with the Green Party being represented by either Patrick Harvie or Lorna Slater.
Mr Swinney called for calm in the debate, the first time the parties will face off on television during the election campaign.
He said he looked forward to a “respectful election based on ideas to improve life for the people of Scotland”.
Mr Swinney added: “In tonight’s debate and in the coming election campaign, I and the SNP will set out a real alternative to the status quo in a broken Westminster.”
Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said the debate meant the First Minister would be “scrutinised for her obsession with breaking up the UK”.
He added that Mr Ross would show how the party could “switch its focus from independence to the issues that really matter”.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the election was “an opportunity for change that cannot be missed”.
“In tonight’s debate I will not only express my own opinion, I will fight for change for every single person in Scotland who has suffered under a dysfunctional and incompetent Conservative government,” he said.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said he intended to “send a message of hope and change to the people of Scotland”.
STV’s political editor Colin MacKay will present the programme, which will be broadcast at 9pm from the station’s headquarters in Pacific Quay, Glasgow.
