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BBC chairman damns MPs for 'interference' over Gaza aid appeal
Benedict Moore-Bridger24.02.09
THE chairman of the BBC Trust has launched a scathing attack on the "political interference" the Corporation received because of its decision not to broadcast a Gaza appeal.
Sir Michael Lyons told business leaders that the BBC faced "undue external pressure" to show the appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee.
He said he had supported director-general Mark Thompson's decision despite "intense controversy".
Sir Michael said: "I began to feel that some of the political criticism was crossing the delicate line between fair comment and undue interference.
"At that point I thought, and still do, that a red card was in order."
The BBC Trust decided not to overrule the director-general's decision but asked him, and other broadcasters, to explore the "wider lessons" to be drawn from the issue.
Sir Michael added: "I'm glad to say that, following the action I took, the tone of political comment almost immediately moderated, and there was explicit recognition from senior voices at Westminster and elsewhere that this was a matter for the BBC to sort out, not for politicians."
Sir Michael also said presenter Jonathan Ross had promised Mr Thompson that he would never repeat the behaviour which led to his suspension. Ross and Russell Brand left offensive remarks on the answerphone of 78-year-old actor Andrew Sachs which Sir Michael said could be blamed on a "failure of editorial control".
Asked why Ross had not been sacked, he said: "Jonathan Ross is back. I am assured he has learned a lesson."
He added that Ross had been punished with a "very significant" cut in his wages.
Sir Michael told his audience in Cardiff: "What happened in that recording studio was the decision by two comedians to leave a message on Andrew Sachs's answerphone. The fact that part of the programme was then broadcast, I regret bitterly. It should never have happened, and it is a failure of editorial control."
Sir Michael said transparency was "crucial" for the BBC, despite occasionally making life "uncomfortable", as with the Ross and Brand furore.
He said: "We published the report of our investigation, warts and all - and there were some pretty unattractive warts - and we made no attempt to gloss over any of the details.
"In the short term, that meant some bad publicity for the BBC but I have no doubt it was the right decision."
He said the show should never have been recorded, but added: "However bad you might feel about Jonathan Ross, the BBC had the splendid opportunity to put this in the bin, and it did not.
"Many people like Jonathan Ross," he continued. "Many people don't. He's one of those artists who split the audience pretty much down the centre."
Reader views (7)
If Sir Michael believes that Ross divides the "audience pretty much down the centre" how does he defend his ludicrous salary.Half of the audience do not feel he is worth it and there is then the great number who loath Ross and do not turn his programme on.
- P Doff, filey yorks
Has democracy died?
- David Nigel Braham, Milan Italy
There was even more "undue external pressure" from apologists for Palestinian terrorists, who did want the appeal to be aired.
- Trevor, Southend UK
This is all part of the political know it all against the BBC that will not toe the line.
Luckily a new Gov might be in power before next Licence Fee extension is due for renewal.
- William, Haywards Heath UK
The BBC is independent and this lobbying and pressure was totally unacceptable.
- Adam Greene, Cambridge
‘This man can't speak. He can't articulate.’ said playwright David Hare about the BBC Director-General, Mark Thompson.
Mark Thompson failed to adequately explain why the BBC did not allow the appeal to be broadcast. It was a humanitarian appeal, not a political statement or endorsement of any of the parties involved.
Given the recent history of the BBC such a decision was bound to be controversial and his failure to communicate to his own staff, the viewers and politicians is a devastating blow to his reputation.
- Manny Goldstein, London, UK
The suspicion was, and remains, that the BBC met with "undue external pressure" from apologists for Israel who did not want the appeal to be aired.
- Vincent Delabole, Camborne, UK
