Ramsey’s struggles are ironic given the fact that Sky Sports has just started
a seven-year deal channel-sharing deal with the BBC to cover Formula One in
the UK.
It is understood that neither BBC Sport nor Sky Sports will address the
off-track issues in Bahrain in their coverage this weekend, with BBC News
and Sky News to cover that angle. Assuming they can get in, of course.
Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times columnist and two-time Pulitzer
prize-winner, has frequently complained on Twitter of his problems getting a
visa for Bahrain.
The issue of news journalists being unable to get into the country came as
Labour MP and veteran human rights campaigner Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley)
raised the issue of the race in the House of Commons, inquiring as to the
government’s position.
“Amnesty International this week published a report which said nothing much
has changed in Bahrain in the past year,” Clwyd said.
The Leader of the House, Sir George Young, said: “Although we are concerned by
some of the violent exchanges still occurring in Bahrain and call on all
sides to exercise restraint and follow the rule of law, at this stage the
FCO is not giving any specific advice to visitors that they should cancel
their visit.”
On Wednesday fellow Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn won an early-day motion calling
for a cancellation.
Bahrain’s circuit officials said this week they are dismayed at the way the
race has been politicised, although with the slogan “UniF1ed: One nation in
celebration” there are those who privately concede they may have brought
that on themselves.
On Thursday some of the track’s volunteer race marshals were put up to talk to
the press. “We are very proud as Bahrainis to have this race here,” said
Saud Swar, a banker. “There are Sunnis, Shi’ites and Christians in this
room. But there is no divide. The troubles in Bahrain are not a sectarian
issue as it has been portrayed.
“What we do here in making this race a success will ultimately benefit
everyone in our country.”
A survey carried out this week by Nielsen, an independent company, on behalf
of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, would appear to support Swar’s
assertion that the majority of the country is behind the race. Overall, 77
per cent of those canvassed were in favour.