The head of the UK’s culture select committee has cast doubt on the BBC’s leadership, stating that the broadcaster may not be in ‘safe hands’ under its chair, Samir Shah, after his evidence to MPs was described as ‘wishy-washy’. This criticism comes during a turbulent period for the BBC, marked by resignations over editorial impartiality concerns.
The culture select committee hearing on Monday saw Shah and other senior BBC figures questioned about the corporation’s response to a leaked memo that highlighted issues with editorial standards. Shah affirmed his commitment to remain as chair, vowing to ‘steady the ship’ and address the problems, while announcing the search for a new director general following Tim Davie’s resignation. He emphasized the need to create a deputy role, noting the job was ‘too big for one person,’ and acknowledged the BBC had been too slow in apologizing for the Trump speech edit.
Dame Caroline Dinenage, the most senior MP on the committee, expressed significant concerns about Shah’s evidence in an interview with the BBC’s World Tonight. She stated she was not convinced the board could grip the situation, citing a lack of direct answers on how the BBC would act more quickly and decisively. Her comments underscored a perception that there is no ‘grip at the heart of BBC governance,’ and she described the assurances as insufficient to ensure robust oversight.
The hearing was prompted by the fallout from a Panorama programme that edited Donald Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech, omitting his call for peaceful protest and splicing comments to imply he incited violence. The BBC apologized for the edit, which led to the resignations of director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness, and triggered a $5 billion lawsuit threat from Trump. The corporation has refused to pay compensation, maintaining there is no basis for defamation.
Michael Prescott, the former external adviser whose memo sparked the crisis, gave evidence that issues at the BBC were ‘getting worse’ and that the board was not taking concerns seriously enough. However, he clarified that he did not believe the organization was institutionally biased. Other witnesses, including board member Sir Robbie Gibb, rejected claims of a politically motivated coup as ‘complete nonsense,’ while former adviser Caroline Daniel described the memo as Prescott’s ‘personal account.’
In response, Shah has initiated a review of the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee to ensure it has the necessary powers and represents diverse voices. He emphasized in a staff memo that recruiting a new director general is a top priority, and the board is assessing whether further action is needed based on the leaked memo’s findings. The BBC is also conducting internal evaluations to address impartiality concerns more effectively.
The broader context includes ongoing scrutiny from Ofcom, with its head Dame Melanie Dawes noting ‘serious issues recently with editorial decision making’ at the BBC. This situation highlights the challenges facing the public broadcaster in maintaining impartiality and trust, with implications for its future governance and editorial integrity. The committee’s criticisms may lead to further parliamentary oversight and reforms as the BBC navigates this crisis.
