ITV 'gave Tories Cameron interview preview'

ITV reportedly allowed Conservative communications director Andy Coulson to preview a Sir Trevor McDonald interview with David Cameron before it aired.

According to The Guardian, Coulson and other Tory party staff were invited to what ITV described as a "routine viewing" of Trevor McDonald Meets David Cameron before it was broadcast on ITV1 on March 14.

A spokeswoman for the commercial public service broadcaster claimed that ITV's "editorial control of the film was absolute", and the Tories were offered "no opportunities to make any changes other than factual points".

She added that ITV's compliance representatives were also present at the screening, which was not a condition placed on Cameron's participation in the interview.

"When we decided to make this film, no offer was made to the Conservatives to see the completed programme, nor did they ask to see it. ITV had complete editorial control and at no point was that questioned," said the spokeswoman.

"The preview was arranged once the edit had got under way and took place during a routine viewing. As we said previously, the producer saw no harm in allowing the Conservative team to see the film given that our editorial control of the film was absolute and there were no opportunities to make any changes other than factual points."

She added: "As is the case with viewing of programmes ahead of transmission, the production team were present together with a compliance representative. There were also members of the Conservative team who had been involved with arranging filming."

However, a senior television news source from a rival broadcaster said that the situation is "unbelievable" and also "incredibly depressing".

The source added: "Independence and due impartiality of TV news and current affairs is one of the things the British public has been able to depend on."

Another source said that previewing interviews is "unheard of" in the industry and sets a "very worrying precedent".