The Liberal Democrats have accused the BBC of freezing the party out of key news stories.

In an interview with ePolitix.com, party media spokesman Nick Harvey revealed that the party has "been making some quite vigorous representations" to BBC management.

The BBC has been embroiled in a row with the government over the Iraq dossier and the Conservatives have also challenged senior executives over claims of bias.

Now Harvey reveals that the Liberal Democrats have also been concerned by the coverage it has received.

"We've gone apoplectic when the third voice in any news story has been left out - particularly recently with the Peter Hain and the higher tax for top earners story," he said."On a succession of BBC programmes we got no opportunity to put our point across. This was followed days later by the student tuition fees saga where the Tories seem to have convinced the BBC with the idea that they have come up with something new.

"These are two issues in a row where the BBC cast us out of a story where we would have expected to have been principle players. We've been making some quite vigorous representations to the BBC ourselves. Whether the BBC will take the view that if all three main political parties are after it then they are getting something right I don't know."

However, Harvey accepted that rows are simply a part of political life in a democracy.

"The BBC has a worldwide reputation for accuracy and objectivity. From time to time that's bound to mean that it's going to rub up against politicians. I think any incumbent government will come up against the BBC if it is doing its job properly," he said.

He warned the row with both Labour and the Conservatives could hit the renewal of the BBC's charter but argues against ditching the licence fee.

"The impact on British television would be devastating. If the BBC were to be forced into the advertising market that would have terrifying consequences on channels three, four and five. It would also make a dent in the advertising revenues of digital TV stations as well," he said.

He also rejected the recent run of media stories that the Lib Dems are dissatisfied with Charles Kennedy's performance as leader.

"I think Charles Kennedy's own poll rating is robust and we've had our best set of results in the May elections. While I agree we haven't had a run away poll lead like in the heyday of the Alliance nevertheless we're in a much healthier position than we were four years ago," he said.