BROADCASTING regulator Ofcom today rejected a complaint from Plaid Cymru about its exclusion from the televised prime ministerial debates.

Plaid said the first debate broadcast by ITV was not impartial and was misleading because its leader, Ieuan Wyn Jones, did not take part.

Ofcom said it had not upheld complaints by Plaid and the Scottish National Party after they were adjudicated by its election committee.

The nationalists lodged their complaints after Nick Clegg's performance was credited with boosting the Liberal Democrats' opinion poll ratings.

Deputy First Minister Mr Jones is taking part in a separate series of televised General Election debates with Welsh political leaders.

In a statement, Ofcom said: "The committee considered all the submissions and evidence before it, in light of the devolved political systems in Scotland and Wales, and under the relevant provisions of the Broadcasting Code.

"It decided that neither complaint should be upheld; that the broadcast of the debate complied with Sections 5 and 6 of the Broadcasting Code (concerning impartiality and election coverage); and that no remedial action was therefore required on the part of ITV licensees.’’