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Tom Bradby accused of breaking impartiality rules as he tweets support for Scottish independence referendum

From ITV Studios THE AGENDA Monday 27th February, ITV1, 10.30pm Tom Bradby Ð ITVÕs Political Editor ÐÊdiscusses theÊmajor topics and talking pointsÊof the weekÊahead withÊhis guests in this new weekly talk show.Ê From people to politics to popular culture, this is where you find out whatÕs on The Agenda.Ê Pictured: Tom Bradby (c) ITV Photographer: Tony Ward For further information please contact Peter Gray 0207 157 3046 peter.gray@itv.com This photograph is (C) ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with The Agenda or ITV. Once made available by ITV Plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the TX date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Plc Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itvpictures.com - Tony Ward

Tom Bradby, the ITV news anchor, has been accused of breaking impartiality rules by publishing a tweet in support of a second Scottish independence referendum.

The broadcaster said denying the Scottish National Party (SNP) the chance to hold another vote on the issue if it achieves a pro-independence majority in the elections would make a "mockery of democratic devolution".

Mr Bradby, 54, wrote on Twitter on Friday night: "If the SNP can assemble a pro-independence majority here tonight or tomorrow, I just can't see how it would be credible to deny them another referendum.

"It would make an absolute mockery of the principle of democratic devolution."

His comments attracted criticism from some social media users, who accused him of straying beyond the bounds of impartiality expected of newsreaders.

Mcc0070148 Image ©Licensed to i-Images Picture Agency. 12/05/2016. London, United Kingdom. Boris Johnson No Vote Tour. Former Mayor Of London Boris Johnson on day two of his two day tour of the South West of England on the No Vote Campaign. Boris Johnson during a speech on a visit to Reid Steel in Christchurch. TV Journalist Michael Crick interviews Vote Leave supporters. Picture by Andrew Parsons / i-Images - Andrew Parsons/i-Images

Michael Crick (above), the journalist and broadcaster, replied: "I’m very sorry Tom, that may be your personal view, but it is not right that you, as a senior presenter of ITV programmes regulated by Ofcom, should express it in public. It goes against everything ITN used to stand for."

India Willoughby, a broadcaster and commentator, added: "What’s it got to do with an ITV newsreader? Presenters express opinions, newsreaders remain impartial."

Ofcom, which regulates broadcasters, said it does not publish figures on complaints made about social media posts and it is beyond their scope to take action against any individual for tweets.

Mr Bradby and ITV did not respond to a request for comment.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who leads the pro-independence SNP, has described the election as the most important in her country's history.

She has vowed to demand the legal powers for a referendum on Scottish independence by the end of 2023 if her party wins a majority in the 129-seat devolved parliament in Edinburgh.

The BBC last year clamped down on its journalists who use social media to publicise their political beliefs. Staff were issued with new guidance on the use of websites such as Twitter and Facebook, which urged them not to "express a personal opinion on matters of public policy, politics, or controversial subjects".

They were also handed guidance on avoiding showing bias by following particular people on Twitter, as well as liking and retweeting partisan content.

Tim Davie, director-general of the corporation, said in a speech to employees: “If you want to be an opinionated columnist or a partisan campaigner on social media then that is a valid choice, but you should not be working at the BBC.

“We urgently need to champion and recommit to impartiality. In the age of fake news, social media campaigns, echo chambers of opinion, and noisy partisan media outlets, this, surely, is our time.”