Steerpike

During the Scottish independence referendum, BBC Scotland was regularly accused of showing bias against the SNP. The Beeb's supposed pro-Union slant led Alex Salmond to brand its coverage 'a disgrace'. However, now it seems brains at the BBC are keen to get the Nats back on side. Donalda MacKinnon, BBC Scotland's new director, has given an exclusive interview to The National -- the pro-independence paper -- in which she makes a play for the Scottish nationalists. MacKinnon promises to address the lack of trust felt by a 'significant number' of people following the independence referendum: 'We take pride in the fact that the majority of our audiences still trust the BBC.

On Thursday, Barack Obama announced the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats in retaliation for Russian attempts to interfere with the US presidential election. While Theresa May is yet to comment on the unfolding events, the SNP are proving more forthcoming. Paul Monaghan, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has taken to Twitter to say the decision by the US is 'regrettable'. https://twitter.com/_PaulMonaghan/status/814606694512816129 While Monaghan appears unfazed by both the CIA and FBI's assessment that Russia intervened in the US presidential election, he hasn't always taken such a blasé approach when it comes to claims of electoral wrongdoing.

This week, Theresa May's sincerity was called into question when party members -- including Ed Vaizey -- received a Christmas greeting from the Prime Minister in which they were addressed by their surname. With brains at CCHQ quick to clock the problem, Alan Mabbutt -- the Director General of the Conservatives -- has sent out an apology email in which he takes the blame for the error which 'distracted from the sincerity' of May's message. Only there's another issue. This time recipients are not even addressed by their surname -- let alone their first-name. Instead, they are simply referred to as 'Dear Member': Mr S suspects Theresa May and her party have some work to do when it comes to mastering the personal touch.

During the EU referendum, the Sun ran a front page with the headline 'the Queen backs Brexit’. The paper reported that the Queen clashed with Nick Clegg, who was then Deputy Prime Minister, over Europe at a lunch in 2011 -- at which she declared the EU was ‘heading in the wrong direction’. In the days and weeks that followed, the paper received much flak over the legitimacy of the story, with blame being pointed in Michael Gove's direction.

Ahead of the Autumn Statement, there were reports that Theresa May was concerned that Philip Hammond was not doing enough to help the 'just about managing' families -- aka JAMs. While he did oblige with a fuel duty freeze, May's government has since faced questions over its commitment to the JAMs -- with matters not helped by the Prime Minister's decision to don £1,000 leather trousers for a photoshoot. So, Mr S was intrigued to see that Hammond, too, isn't afraid to indulge in a taste of the high life. The latest register of interests shows that Hammond and his wife enjoyed a dinner -- courtesy of Andrew Taee, the founder of Dial Partners LLP -- to the value of £800.

Even when Ed Miliband was Labour leader, it was his brother who made the greatest impression across the pond. While Hillary Clinton waxed lyrical about David Miliband, Ed was never able to make waves in America. So, there's good news at last for the former Labour leader. Miliband won a primetime spot during a news bulletin from NBC. Alas, there is a catch - his photo was used as a stock picture for an item on the flu: https://twitter.com/elenacresci/status/810847595618766848 Well, they do say all publicity is good publicity...

Although the trouser-gate row between Theresa May and Nicky Morgan looked as though it was beginning to die down, the feud has been given fresh life thanks to brains at the BBC. After the Prime Minister banned Morgan from Downing Streeet for criticising her £1,000 trousers, the former education secretary dropped out of a planned appearance on Have I Got News For You. Explaining Morgan's absence, Gary Lineker said producers had been left with no choice but to place a £1,000 Mulberry handbag -- that Morgan owns a version of -- in her vacant chair: 'We were due to have the former education secretary Nicky Morgan, but because of a falling out with Downing St over Theresa May's £1,000 leather trousers she's decided not to come.

Theresa May is already not invited to the European Council summit dinner, and now it seems she's not that welcome at the day activities either. Yes, the Prime Minister appears to have been given the cold shoulder this morning at the event -- which sees the 28 leaders gather in Brussels to talk migrants, Turkey, Russia and Donald Trump. May was left looking as if she had no mates as she was blanked on the floor: https://twitter.com/EmilyPurser/status/809369281142157313 Let's hope tonight's solo dinner -- when the 27 remaining leaders depart to talk Brexit without May -- is more cheering than a ready meal for one.

On Tuesday, there was surprising news in Parliament as it emerged that Philip Davies had been elected onto the women and equalities committee. Given that Davies has vigorously campaigned for men's rights to be given a better hearing and raised doubts about the intentions of some feminists, even an outsider could hazard a guess that it might not be a match made in heaven. So, Davies appearance today on the Daily Politics will most likely only add fuel to the fire. Davies, appearing alongside Caroline Lucas, compared himself to Ukip MEPs in Brussels as he tried to explain why he had joined: 'If I can bring some common sense to the committee that's surely a good thing.

Since Jeremy Corbyn was elected Labour leader, the party has struggled when it comes to forging a positive relationship with the MSM (mainstream media). Right wing press aside, Corbyn has taken issue with coverage from the BBC, New Statesman, The Guardian, the Mirror and Channel Four. However, are times a-changin'? Last night journalists were welcomed into the Leader's Office for Corbyn's Christmas drinks. True to form, Corbyn stayed on brand -- using a box Chilcot Reports as a handy door stopper. However, in a sign that he is willing to compromise in order to appeal to the masses, the vegetarian lay on a spread of chicken legs and pork pies for hungry hacks.