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BBC Leadership 2025-11-11
11 November 2025
Lead MP
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Other Contributors: 45
At a Glance
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport raised concerns about bbc leadership 2025-11-11 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Today I am addressing the resignations of the director general and CEO of BBC News due to concerns about accuracy and impartiality at the BBC. The BBC Chair has committed to steps in response to editorial failings, which I welcome. While acknowledging serious concerns raised, I reject suggestions that the BBC is institutionally biased. The BBC remains a trusted source of news and an essential part of our democratic life. We will begin charter review imminently to ensure sustainable funding and genuine accountability. Throughout its history, the BBC has adapted; now it must address current challenges and continue to inform, educate, and entertain for future decades.
Nigel Huddleston
Con
Droitwich and Evesham
Question
The BBC is facing serious issues, including recent leadership changes due to bias allegations. We need a full review of impartiality standards with clear actions for complaints processing, governance, oversight, and compliance.
Minister reply
I agree that two resignations are not the answer. Clear actions must be swift, robust, and transparent. The Government does not appoint the director general; it is a matter solely for the board. We stand ready to provide support where requested.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Question
The Secretary of State agrees that it is time to review the influence of former Conservative spin doctor Robbie Gibb on the BBC’s board.
Minister reply
The charter sets a strict legal threshold for dismissing a board member, so I am unable to pursue the course suggested by the hon. Member.
Anna Sabine
LD
Frome and East Somerset
Question
Will the Secretary of State stand up for the BBC as it navigates Trump’s threats and review board members like Robbie Gibb?
Minister reply
The Government will support the BBC through the charter process and welcome changes to ensure editorial standards committee is transparent.
Rupa Huq
Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Question
Should political figures not be arbiters of news standards, particularly regarding the four-person editorial guidance and standards committee?
Minister reply
Changes to the committee are planned, which I welcome. The BBC has been transparent about these changes.
Gosport
Question
What support is the Department giving the BBC and when will the charter review start?
Minister reply
The Government is closely working with the chairman of the BBC, and we will begin the charter review process before the end of the year.
Natasha Irons
Lab
Croydon East
Question
Does the Culture Secretary agree that transparency, accountability, and measurable commitments to impartiality should be central in the charter?
Minister reply
I do agree. The BBC’s role is to hold up a mirror to society and Governments of all political persuasions.
Oliver Dowden
Con
Hertsmere
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that the BBC's cultural disposition needs addressing, particularly in its representation of suburban and provincial England?
Minister reply
I agree that there has to be a level of internal challenge within any successful organisation. The BBC is at the forefront of changing this concentration issue.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that swift corrections must be made to uphold trust and confidence in the BBC, especially when it takes a long time for mistakes to be corrected?
Minister reply
I agree with my hon. Friend's concern about the length of time taken to address issues at the BBC. The delay undermines public trust and confidence in the organisation. We must ensure that corrections are made swiftly and proactively going forward.
Minister reply
I have reflected concern about the time it takes for responses to be given, not just in relation to this episode but previously. It undermines trust and confidence in the BBC when there is no proper explanation provided.
Stella Creasy
Lab/Co-op
Walthamstow
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that political attacks on the BBC undermine public ownership, and might she meet a group to look at ideas such as mutualisation for protecting it from political institutions?
Minister reply
I stand by my assertion that the BBC belongs to us all. I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss her suggestions about how to give back trust and confidence in the BBC through initiatives like mutualisation.
Maldon
Question
Should the editorial guidelines and standards committee be made tougher and fully independent as a first step towards strengthening impartiality requirements during the charter review?
Minister reply
I look forward to having detailed conversations with the right hon. Member about his suggestions, including making the committee tougher and fully independent.
Graham Stringer
Lab
Blackley and Middleton South
Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that a failure to uphold objectivity is the biggest threat to the BBC?
Minister reply
I absolutely share my hon. Friend’s view about the seriousness of failing to uphold objectivity, but it is important to remember the essential role the BBC plays in telling stories and representing communities across the country.
Gavin Robinson
DUP
Belfast East
Question
Does the Secretary of State believe that Jonathan Munro must go due to his defence of partiality in editorial decisions?
Minister reply
It is not for me or any Government to decide who is employed by the BBC, but I agree that integrity and impartiality are vital.
Andrew Pakes
Lab
Peterborough
Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is important to nurture talent while dealing with leadership issues at the BBC?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his compelling point about the value and importance of nurturing the talented individuals who make up the fabric of the BBC.
Julian Smith
Con
Skipton and Ripon
Question
Will the Secretary of State reflect on the broader skills needed to maximise global opportunities for the BBC in news and productions?
Minister reply
The right hon. Member is correct about the lack of deftness and urgency in handling issues, and it is crucial that we change this approach to ensure robust governance.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Question
Will the Secretary of State ensure that BBC Scotland’s editorial independence will be maintained following any changes in leadership?
Minister reply
The legal threshold for changes in leadership must be met. The Government appoints the chair but not individual staff members. Through the charter review process, we aim to ensure that all parts of the UK, including nations and regions, see a fair share of content reflecting their lives and communities.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Question
Does not this failure reflect the fragmentation of public services due to Conservative policies?
Minister reply
The charter review process marks the start of the next chapter for the BBC. It will provide an opportunity for all parties in the House and the country to agree on the future direction of the corporation.
Bath
Question
Will she commit that all future appointments should be conducted through a transparent process?
Minister reply
The next charter will set out how the BBC operates for the next decade, including structures and transparency. The House will have an opportunity to engage in this process.
Pamela Nash
Lab
Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke
Question
Is not the fact that the BBC has been attacked by every side evidence of its impartiality?
Minister reply
The BBC remains one of the most trusted sources of news in the UK. We must ensure it upholds high standards, but it is crucial to avoid political interference and maintain editorial independence.
Rebecca Paul
Con
Reigate
Question
How does the Secretary of State intend to ensure that the BBC moves away from its ideological approach on gender?
Minister reply
The role of elected politicians is not to dictate editorial decisions but to uphold robust and consistent application of editorial standards.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
Question
Does she agree that the BBC must respond to criticism proportionately without political interference?
Minister reply
The BBC is one of the most trusted institutions globally. We aim to ensure it upholds high standards and avoids political or commercial influence.
Ben Lake
PC
Ceredigion Preseli
Question
Will the financial stability of S4C be a key consideration in the charter review?
Minister reply
The Government reaffirms the importance of S4C to our national life and will work with Members during the charter review process.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Question
Can she say a few words of thanks to BBC staff for their continued work?
Minister reply
I commend all BBC staff, particularly those who report fearlessly from dangerous parts of the world. I thank them for their invaluable contributions.
Roger Gale
Con
Herne Bay and Sandwich
Question
Will she resist calls to destroy one of the jewels in our national crown?
Minister reply
I give that assurance to protect the integrity, credibility, and independence of public service broadcasting.
Joe Morris
Lab
Hexham
Question
Can measures be taken to ensure full public scrutiny for future political appointments and prevent involvement in editorial roles?
Minister reply
The tone of this debate is sensible and measured. We need actions to address recent failings while maintaining the integrity of the BBC.
Siân Berry
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Question
Will she protect the BBC from further political interference, end all political appointments, and remove those already in place?
Alex Mayer
Lab
Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard
Question
Will the Secretary of State assure me that in the forthcoming charter review she will take seriously the protection and enhancement of local news coverage?
Minister reply
I am happy to give my hon. Friend that assurance. We are looking both at the charter process and at how we can help to support and defend local news through the BBC’s work.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
How does the right hon. Member view the situation with Robbie Gibb and the Guardian's reporting?
Minister reply
I am not entirely sure how to respond to that, but the right hon. Member’s views are now on the record.
Chris Kane
Lab
Stirling and Strathallan
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that journalism, delivered free from fear or favour, costs money—and that it costs a lot of money to do it really well? Does she also agree that delivering that has to be at the centre of gravity for the BBC now and in the future?
Minister reply
I agree with my hon. Friend and I can assure him that that is very much central to the charter review process that we are about to begin.
Stratford-on-Avon
Question
What actions can she take to restore public confidence in the BBC’s governance?
Minister reply
Everyone in this House is right to take with the utmost seriousness the failings that the BBC has accepted have happened over the course of this year, but I would gently push back against the idea that the public has lost confidence in the BBC.
Jonathan Brash
Lab
Hartlepool
Question
Does she agree that it is not acceptable for Members of this House who are paid by the BBC’s commercial rivals to use their status as an MP to mount sustained and frenzied attacks that have only one aim: to destroy this national institution?
Minister reply
As I said earlier, it is the legitimate, right and proper role of Members of this House to raise serious concerns about the decisions that have been made at the BBC over recent months and the response to them.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
When will it end? Is this just a pause or is this the end?
Minister reply
As somebody who has shared my frustrations at some of the failures at the BBC over the last 16 months, and at the response at times, I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that throughout this process I have very much felt that there is a recognition of the seriousness of this issue at the highest levels of the BBC.
Jim Dickson
Lab
Dartford
Question
Does she agree that a strong BBC acts as a bulwark against misinformation not only in this country but across other critical parts of the world where there are few other trusted news sources?
Minister reply
I agree with my hon. Friend, and it is not lost on anyone in this House that, at a time when other countries who do not necessarily have the UK’s best interests at heart are investing heavily in state-funded propaganda, it is essential that the BBC continues to be a light on the hill for people in times of darkness.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Question
Will the Secretary of State confirm that, in order to preserve the BBC as a national institution, this charter review will convey an understanding of people right across the UK, wherever they live?
Minister reply
I can, and I will. I share the right hon. Gentleman’s view that the story of the whole nation has to be told.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that some of those who jump on any infraction with glee may have ulterior motives? Does she further agree that the BBC is a beacon of fearless, impartial journalism here and abroad?
Minister reply
I agree with my hon. Friend about the centrality of the BBC to our public life.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Question
Is now not the time to start afresh with a transformed BBC service to give us the impartial news service that many of us have demanded for years?
Minister reply
The charter review will provide an opportunity to do just that.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
Why does the Minister think the BBC’s national leadership has spent hundreds of thousands of pounds of licence fee payers’ money resisting attempts to publish the 2004 Balen report?
Minister reply
That is a question for the BBC, and when members of the editorial committee appear before the Select Committee, I am sure that that is something the Committee will rightly challenge them on.
Al Pinkerton
LD
Surrey Heath
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that the BBC provides a vital connection to our past that unifies us and that, as well as being a source of education, information and entertainment, it is also a great source of national resilience?
Minister reply
I agree with the hon. Member. If the BBC did not exist in the times that we live in, we would seek to invent it.
Peter Fortune
Con
Bromley and Biggin Hill
Question
Does she agree that it is therefore imperative that the BBC wins back trust, discipline and a culture of impartiality so that this can be inculcated into the next generation of journalists?
Minister reply
I agree with the hon. Member. That is why this Government will also resist recent attacks on the institution itself by Members from across the House.
Knowsley
Question
Robbie Gibb—faithful or traitor?
Minister reply
Perhaps I can hear my hon. Friend’s views about that over a few drinks later on.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
Does the response not show that this body—which has fabricated the news, misused its monopoly and hidden behind the protection of politicians in this House who were far too cowardly to take it on over the years—is not capable of change?
Minister reply
It will not surprise the right hon. Gentleman to learn that I do not agree with that or with his characterisation of an institution that plays a vital role in this country.
Pam Cox
Lab
Colchester
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that the BBC’s trusted journalism is one of our strongest defences against disinformation, both at home and abroad?
Minister reply
I agree with my hon. Friend. I pay tribute to the work that BBC Verify does in helping to empower our citizens to navigate a difficult news environment.
Rupert Lowe
Ind
Great Yarmouth
Question
Would the Minister agree that now is the time to responsibly defund this monopoly?
Minister reply
It will not surprise the hon. Gentleman to learn that I strongly disagree with him on the first point.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
Question
Will the Secretary of State therefore ensure that the BBC leadership abides by the Court’s ruling, and does she agree that the BBC’s lefty, woke agenda is certainly not in step with the majority of right-thinking people?
Minister reply
I do not agree with the hon. Lady’s characterisation of the BBC.
Shadow Comment
Nigel Huddleston
Shadow Comment
The BBC faces institutional bias issues leading to resignations. Examples include the 'Panorama' programme on Donald Trump, Gaza documentary, and reliance on Hamas stats. We need a full review of impartiality standards with clear actions for complaints processing, governance, oversight, and compliance. The Secretary of State should provide more details on timelines for discussions about finding a new director general and future funding arrangements.
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