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Newsreader 'unhappy' as BBC tells him to quit charity
Robert Mendick and Benedict Moore-Bridger4 Aug 2009
BBC newsreader George Alagiah told today of his frustration at corporation bosses who have ordered him to step down as patron of a leading charity.
Alagiah was forced to quit his unpaid position with the Fairtrade Foundation after seven years - even though the BBC never received "a single complaint" about his charity work.
It is understood the BBC feared Alagiah's role with the charity - which supports farmers and workers in the developing world - breached impartiality rules. The charity has never received a formal explanation for the decision.
Alagiah, presenter of the Six o'Clock news, told the Standard: "I was not happy about having to relinquish the patronship because there had not been a single complaint in seven years.
"I tried hard to persuade my colleagues that what I had done for seven years had not brought the BBC into disrepute. I failed in that argument."
The Fairtrade Foundation helps to promote Fairtrade products sold in Britain and has seen sales of ethically produced goods such as tea, coffee and bananas boom in recent years.
That in part has been due to behind-the-scenes efforts of Alagiah and his wife Frances, a senior fundraiser with the charity. Alagiah, speaking at his north London home, said today: "I am passionate about Fairtrade. I am passionate about the farmers."
The dispute is understood to have rumbled on for several months before the presenter finally resigned.
He said: "I did what I had to do. I told the BBC authorities and they signed it off. (Now) the reason being given is Fairtrade is somehow controversial and represents a conflict of interests. I don't think the BBC is against me being a supporter in my private life."
Supporters of the Fairtrade Foundation were told of the decision in an open letter written by Alagiah and published in the charity's magazine.
"In the many years that I have been your patron there has not been a single complaint (that I am aware of) to the BBC so you can imagine how taken aback I was by the decision."
The move has angered Fairtrade supporters including Sainsbury's - the first supermarket to stock Fairtrade produce. Its chief executive Justin King said: "I was perplexed to hear that the BBC has required George Alagiah to step down from his role as patron of the Fairtrade Foundation." He called on the BBC to reconsider its decision.
Eileen Maybin, the Fairtrade Foundation's spokeswoman, said: "George will be very difficult to replace. He has been amazingly helpful."
A BBC spokeswoman said: "The BBC has guidelines to ensure our reputation for impartiality is protected. That is paramount."
A corporation source suggested the decision was influenced by a BBC2 series about food which Alagiah is due to present.
The move comes amid a row over an alleged conflict of interest engulfing controller of BBC1 Jay Hunt. Ms Hunt is company secretary of a firm run by her husband, which earns substantial sums training BBC staff.
The Fairtrade Foundation will now look for a new patron. High-profile supporters of Fairtrade include comedian Harry Hill, Olympic champion Sir Steve Redgrave and presenter Gail Porter.
Emma Watson, star of the Harry Potter films, is also a fan and wants to design ethical clothing.
Reader views (23)
So, once again the gnomes at the Beeb have made fools of themselves and a laughing stock of this country's flagship broadcaster in forcing George Alagiah to quit his position as Fairtrade's patron.
I have no doubt that there are many members of various bodies with public agendas, including political parties and pressure groups, among the BBC's management, editorial staff and presenters, as well as a comprehensive selection of minority support groups (spot the euphemism), and that few could be described as scrupulously impartial in every aspect of their lives - why has Mr. Alagiah been singled out?
It seems to me that his activities on behalf of Fairtrade ought to reflect well on the BBC. It's decision to hound him into giving them up does not.
- Tim Baldwin, Redhill, UK, 05/08/2009 14:35
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It is fair comment to say that apart from the Chairman and the Director General, the BBC is now mostly run by PC women, who are only PC if being so agrees with their own left-wing feminist/political stance.
Feminists talk and write ad nauseam about equality, but when handed the power to be unbiased and equal on a plate like the Labour female MPS were handed safe seats from women-only short lists, they choose to be the opposite and hire mostly females. You only have to watch the BBC News 24 during prime times for an hour to see that for yourself. The female presenters, news readers, reporters and interviewees outnumber the male equivalents by a long way.
Consequently, we now have a BBC that has a left-wing feminist politically-correct bias that is no longer producing creative programmes into the bargain.
What more could we want for our licence fee?
- Eric Legge, Ongar, England, 04/08/2009 23:28
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The BBC is managed by Elitist Marxist Bully Boys. And George is their latest victim...
- Tangomike, Kensington, London, 04/08/2009 19:09
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What's wrong with him being involved with a charity, especially Fairtrade. Double standards again. So it's OK for Alan Sugar to be a Labour peer and adviser to Misfit Broon and also OK to be on the television in The Apprentice
- Strongbow Sullivan, Paris,France., 04/08/2009 18:50
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How does this tie in with the BBC hoiking any old celeb in to promote Children in Need?
Double standards.
- Jaded1, London, 04/08/2009 17:45
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the muppets on dragons den! free publicity for the dragons and the products.tut tut bbc.
- Jas, paddington, 04/08/2009 17:37
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Hello London,
So now we know, the B.B.C. does not want to be fair, we can see that. The top table are greedy, the Boss puts flights for his family on expenses, and above all else the licence fee is a rip off, and when someone like George is doing a good job they don't like it.
I say resign George from the beeb and go into another broardcasting station you have the C.V..
- John L., Scarborough N.YKS. England. U.K., 04/08/2009 16:58
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Of course the BBC is impartial. You only have to look at the amount of time and potential advertising the BBC gave to Bono's latest Album to see that every new album is treated equally!Then we have the BBC 1 Controller ensuring her husband gets on Panorama to advertise her Company. I fully accept that She had no direct input into the choice but "we need a presentation expert - oh the Bosses Husband fits the bill and will get us brownie points!"
- David Burns, Beckenham, 04/08/2009 16:35
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The detestable grossly overpaid egotistic moronic people running the BBC.Sack the lot,bring
in fresh faces and maybe a live England football/cricket
match will be shown.
- G.Diamond, Romford Essex, 04/08/2009 15:36
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"It is understood the BBC feared Alagiah's role with the charity - which supports farmers and workers in the developing world - breached impartiality rules. The charity has never received a formal explanation for the decision."
They are having a laugh, right? Since when has this left-wing NuLiebour propaganda broadcaster been concerned abotu impartiality? There hasn't been a balanced and impartial news broadcast from the BBC for years.
- Belfast Cop, Belfast, 04/08/2009 15:19
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So, the BBC feared Alagiah's role with the charity breached impartiality rules, but Alan Sugars role for the Apprentice and the Government didn't. A BBC spokeswoman said: "The BBC has guidelines to ensure our reputation for impartiality is protected. That is paramount." Good old BBC bosses, there to uphold standards, even if they are double ones!!!
- Alan, carlisle uk, 04/08/2009 13:55
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George is a highly principled man and an professional,experienced journalist and reporter - Nigel, Jon et al clearly don't watch much quality TV/read anything beyond the headlines if they think he just reads autocue.Fairtrade is not political, it is mainstream now.The post was unpaid. Where's the problem? I do object to ageist Jay Hunt profiteering from taxpayer's money being pumped into her/her husband's company. Shame on the BBC for such wicked double standards.
- Jn, London, UK, 04/08/2009 13:52
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A BBC spokeswoman said: "The BBC has guidelines to ensure our reputation for impartiality is protected. That is paramount".... O really,what planet are the bosses at the BBC on? do they really believe they are impartial?and do they believe we believe they are impartial? How on earth can any organisation that depends on Government legislation as regards its funding possibly be impartial.
- Kev, London-UK, 04/08/2009 13:50
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If you want a Gong for later, you have to do 'Charitee'. A bit demeaning, really, when someone is already good at, and respected for, their day-job. Auntie B is right, for once.
- Steve, London, England, 04/08/2009 13:31
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So will others like Terry Wogan who has supported Epilepsy Action also have to stand down?
I could never tell whether it helped or hindered collections when I had Terry Wogans' Face on view?
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 04/08/2009 13:26
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Double standards!
David Attenborough has appeared in Liberal Democrat party political leaflets in Twickenham giving his support to the highly controversial plans to concrete over open land on Twickenham Riverside to build 'River Center'. Its been the most politically explosive issue in the Constituency for years.
How can Sir David get away with such blatant party political activity whilst George Alagiah is stopped from helping such a worthy cause.
- John, Twickenham, 04/08/2009 13:16
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Don't worry George am sure the Beeb will end you off to luxury villa somewhere to get over it - How's that for a fair trade....
- Damian, North London, 04/08/2009 12:42
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If you like the charity that much, resign from the BBC and go full time? No? what a surprise, lot of money to be made for reading an autocue, really challenging.
- Jon, london, 04/08/2009 12:40
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Oh c'mon! Its a deserving cause and hardly a controversial one, as he so rightly says. I also agree with Ann - he seems an honourable man. Many charities struggle without their famous patrons. Its not on, there are far worse problems at the BBC.
- Jc, London, 04/08/2009 11:56
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Inclined to agree with Nigel and Squiz.
While not casting aspersions on Alagiah, there will, inevitably, be occiasions when there is a potential confilct of interest - even if what he does is clearly for the best and most honourable of intentions.
Now: If only we could deal with the FAR more important topic of making BBC managers and producers give up their political memberships - something which has a direct and obvious impact on output and partiality...
- John, London, 04/08/2009 11:35
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i have always felt and still do that George is a most honourable man..this interference is uncalled for.
- Ann Foley, wimbledon, 04/08/2009 10:55
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well rules is rules George. The momentum for Fairtrade seems to have been achieved now with even Cadbury going fair trade anyway.
- Squiz, Islington, 04/08/2009 10:33
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Do newsreaders write the news, or just read it?
If all they do is present what's in front of them, there is absolutely no reason for this ban. However, if he has editorial input, there may be a conflict of interest (between being an impartial editor on one hand and patron of the charity on the other).
- Nigel, London, 04/08/2009 10:31
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