BBC's Ric Bailey on 2015 general election TV debates

The bid by broadcasters for political leaders to take part in TV debates ahead of the 2015 general election was "fair and realistic", said the BBC's chief adviser on politics.

Ric Bailey said there was no simple solution, but they had taken an "objective look" at past and present electoral support in the offers to David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage.

And he said the BBC would have further debates in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to ensure it was "fair and impartial to all the parties".

The BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4 have announced plans to hold three debates - one with the Labour and Tory leaders, another with those two plus the Lib Dem leader, and one with those three plus the UKIP leader. The SNP, Green Party, and Plaid Cymru have criticised the plan.

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