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BBC: Government Role in Impartiality
14 March 2023
Lead MP
Julia Lopez
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Culture, Media & Sport
Other Contributors: 30
At a Glance
Julia Lopez raised concerns about bbc: government role in impartiality 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
The BBC is a world-class broadcaster, emphasising impartiality as per its royal charter. The Minister underscores the importance of the charter in ensuring that the BBC serves all audiences through accurate and impartial output. She highlights Ofcom’s role in monitoring and regulating the corporation's adherence to these principles, noting recent concerns over audience trust and accuracy. The Government support the BBC’s commitment to reform outlined in their 10-point action plan and stress the importance of maintaining operational independence while upholding high standards. The mid-term review aims to assess governance mechanisms and Ofcom’s effectiveness in ensuring impartiality.
Lucy Powell
Lab Co-op
Manchester Central
Question
The shadow asks whether the Minister can provide any insights into direct contact between Government officials and BBC executives during the recent controversy over a presenter's removal, suggesting this damages perceptions of impartiality.
Minister reply
The Minister responds by emphasising that the Government does not interfere in day-to-day operational decisions at the BBC, asserting the importance of maintaining independence while upholding standards.
Lucy Powell
Lab Co-op
Manchester Central
Question
She queries whether the appointment of a chair with financial ties to the Prime Minister undermines his ability to provide confidence and credibility in his role, given ongoing investigations.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the importance of these issues but defends the current arrangements, suggesting that while investigations are ongoing, no action is necessary until conclusive evidence emerges.
Lucy Powell
Lab Co-op
Manchester Central
Question
This week’s whole sorry saga has raised serious questions about the Government’s role in upholding BBC impartiality. After days of holding off, the BBC capitulated to a Tory cancel campaign and took Mr Lineker off air. What contact did she or any member of the Government have with any BBC executives or board members during this time? Does she agree that he is now unable to carry out his role of providing confidence, credibility and independence? Will the Minister today finally call off the dogs behind her and stand up for the BBC’s independence from the Government?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Lady for her spirited questions. The Department regularly engages with the BBC on a range of issues but at no time have any Ministers sought to influence the BBC’s decision on this case in any way. There are separate independent inquiries into Mr Sharp's appointment process, and they must be left to conclude.
Question
Last weekend was embarrassingly terrible for the BBC, does my hon. Friend agree that it is the responsibility of the BBC management to produce a set of clear and enforceable guidelines on the behaviour of presenters? Does she also agree that in return, presenters whose reputations and bank balances are enhanced by regular appearances on popular BBC shows also owe a reciprocal responsibility to the BBC?
Minister reply
I thank my right hon. Friend for that important question. I agree that anybody who cares about the BBC will want this furore to die down so that it can focus on how to ensure that it operates to the terms that create confidence in the public.
Question
On Saturday, BBC bosses said that Gary Lineker would have to apologise before being allowed back on the air. Yesterday, the director-general apologised to Gary Lineker who will now go back on the air without compromising. What a mess. Does the Minister agree that her Conservative colleagues have overplayed their hand by trying to influence BBC decision making? Do we need a new system for plum public service appointments?
Minister reply
I make it clear that Ministers have not sought to intervene or interfere in how this process has been handled by the BBC. The BBC charter makes it clear that the director-general, as editor-in-chief of the BBC—and not the chairman of the board—has final responsibility for issues such as the ones we saw over the weekend.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
Question
Mindful that the Minister does not want to comment on self-indulgent, out-of-touch, insensitive, avaricious, smug, arrogant football pundits, will she affirm that impartiality is critical to the BBC’s continuing role? When that impartiality is compromised by anyone in a privileged position, it undermines the BBC.
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. Trust and impartiality are fundamental to the social compact that underpins the licence fee. If that trust and impartiality are seen to be broken by people in the organisation, it is for the organisation to take that into account and to take action accordingly.
Question
The Minister says Ministers are not getting involved, but the Leader of the House said “Labour is borrowing from the Gary Lineker playbook… This country does not need goal-hangers; it needs centre-forwards.”—[Official Report, 9 March 2023; Vol. 729, c. 413.] That perhaps shows her slight lack of understanding of football, but is not the key point that these guidelines were changed in 2020 specifically because Conservative Members were trying to nobble Gary Lineker? That is why it has been such a disaster this weekend.
Minister reply
The Leader of the House is entitled to comment on the nature of Mr Lineker’s comments but, as far as I am aware, she applied zero pressure on the BBC to take action in relation to his contract.
Andrew Percy
Con
Brigg and Goole
Question
I hope the shadow Secretary of State will reflect on her comparison of this Government to the Putin regime, which is of course engaged in war crimes and the murder of men, women and children in Ukraine. That was beneath her. I am perfectly content with the BBC’s funding model and output, but one element of Mr Lineker’s statement on Twitter is completely unacceptable. I grew up surrounded by people who had their lives turned on their head by the Nazi regime in Germany, so I hope the Minister will comment on Mr Lineker’s references to 1930s Germany.
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for setting out how he feels about the comments that were made. I very much appreciate the deep sensitivities of this matter. I also think it was distasteful to compare the Government’s actions, or otherwise, to the Putin regime. That is a disgraceful comparison to make and I think it is way off the mark.
Salford
Question
The BBC’s decision to take Gary Lineker off the air for his criticism of the Government’s immoral, inhumane and unworkable Illegal Migration Bill justifiably angered both the public and the professional staff working for the corporation, many of whom are in my constituency. Sadly, confidence in BBC management was already at a real low following revelations about the circumstances of Richard Sharp’s appointment as chairman.
Minister reply
The hon. Lady talks of BBC staff in her constituency. They signed contracts and are aware of the standards to which they must adhere, because impartiality is so fundamental to the organisation, its future success and the trust in which the public hold it.
Alun Cairns
Con
Vale of Clwyd
Question
The way in which the BBC has reacted over the last week or so has been nothing short of appalling. Does the Minister agree that the BBC needs to set clear rules, rather than guidance, on what is expected from its presenters, particularly high-profile presenters—erring on the side of caution rather than encouraging political commentary?
Minister reply
I thank my right hon. Friend for his comments. The Serota review was designed to do just that: to make sure there are very clear guidelines to which BBC employees sign up, and to make sure people undertake impartiality training when they take on roles within the BBC.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
The only disaster this weekend has been for the BBC, given the despicable way in which it handled the Gary Lineker affair and then caved in to this man and his friends who rallied around him. Does the Minister agree that the BBC has shown once again that, because of its inherent bias, it is impossible for it to be impartial?
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman is right to highlight the importance of impartiality to the trust in which licence fee payers hold the organisation, and its importance to the future of the licence fee.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Question
I support the right to free speech and the BBC’s public service broadcasting principles. I think we need a public service broadcaster, and I support a licence fee to pay for it, but full impartiality is required for a public service broadcaster to be trusted.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the importance of impartiality. The BBC already has a set of rules on that but, in the light of this incident, it is also looking at how social media is governed and making sure that the organisation is adhering to those principles and that the guidance is working as it should.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Question
Whatever review is undertaken now, Richard Sharp is currently the chair of the BBC. The specifications say that one of his responsibilities is the “delivery of impartiality” at the corporation.
Minister reply
Richard Sharp was appointed in a transparent way.
Bill Cash
Con
Stone
Question
Impartiality is public purpose No. 1 of the royal charter, which I helped to negotiate in 2016. Given that guidelines simply do not work, may I suggest the setting up of an independent adjudicating body for impartiality, alongside Ofcom?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for not only his question, but the way in which he has engaged with me over the mid-term review.
Battersea
Question
The BBC has some brilliant journalists and staff, who work hard to make it the world’s leading public service broadcaster, but the decision to remove Gary Lineker from the air at the weekend just demonstrates its fear of this Government; it bowed to their pressure.
Minister reply
I believe I have already answered that question, but I reiterate that no pressure was applied on the BBC by Ministers and that having political links to a party does not preclude someone from taking on a role within the BBC—it is about how they dispense their obligations within that role.
Jason McCartney
Con
Colne Valley
Question
What role do the Government have in ensuring that the BBC delivers for the audiences it serves? Will the Minister join me please in pressing the BBC to look again at its shocking decision to close the 99-year-old choir, the BBC Singers?
Minister reply
On some of the musical operations the BBC currently funds, I know that this matter is causing a lot of alarm and concern.
Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
I trust, or I hope, that I am seen to be fair-minded in this place. First, the Minister has said that she will not instruct Richard Sharp to go, but does she accept that his continuation, his lingering on, as chair does nothing for the reputation of the BBC, and that he should reflect on his position and consider accordingly?
Minister reply
The process, from a DCMS perspective, was fully transparent.
Tom Hunt
SNP
East Lothian
Question
I understand that an independent expert has been appointed by the BBC to review social media guidance, particularly in relation to freelancers. Does the Minister agree that it is important that those who are paid vast sums by the taxpayer and are widely perceived to be BBC presenters do not avoid paying taxes and disregard impartiality guidelines by hiding behind freelancer status?
Minister reply
It is incredibly important that the BBC is left to conduct its social media review in a way that allows it to bring clarity, particularly on this question of freelancers versus people who are paid employees.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Question
The BBC prepared a statement to be read out on “Question Time” last week in the event that Stanley Johnson’s assault was raised, saying it was a one-off incident. The MP questions what was going through their heads when they agreed to this statement, wondering if the Conservative party or those suffering domestic violence benefited most.
Minister reply
The Minister does not know the specific statement Clive Efford refers to and suggests that Fiona Bruce behaved professionally in this matter.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
Gary Lineker’s tweet last December praised a Hamas terrorist involved in murdering two Jewish pilgrims. The MP asks whether the BBC should ensure presenters correct their statements and apologise when necessary.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees that some of these questions will be resolved by the social media review being undertaken by the BBC, hoping it will provide clarity about the rules presenters must adhere to.
Zarah Sultana
Your Party
Coventry South
Question
The MP criticises the political affiliations of Richard Sharp and Tim Davie and questions if they should resign along with BBC reform to remove Government influence.
Minister reply
Previous Governments have appointed individuals with declared political activity to senior positions in the BBC, but these rules do not prohibit such appointments. Once appointed, board members must adhere to the code of conduct.
Question
The MP asks if the Minister agrees that the BBC should be given space for its review of social media guidelines.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees that the BBC should have space to carry out their review and set clear guidelines, as stated by the Serota review.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Question
The MP compares the Conservative party’s actions to black-headed gulls harassing a puffin in David Attenborough’s “Wild Isles” and questions who would win if Gary Lineker went head-to-head with the Minister in an election.
Minister reply
The Minister thanks Pete Wishart for his question but states there was no attempt to interfere politically with how Gary Lineker’s case was handled.
Question
Having worked at the BBC, Rob Butler emphasises impartiality as core in a society rife with fake news and diverse opinions. He asks if the Minister agrees that ensuring impartiality must be the responsibility of broadcasters themselves.
Minister reply
The Minister thanks Rob Butler for his experience and comments, agreeing that impartiality is fundamental to the trust in which the BBC is held.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Question
The MP discusses Sir Christopher Bland’s approach to maintaining BBC pre-eminence by avoiding political opinions when working for the BBC. He questions if Richard Sharp should step down and whether the review into his appointment will be delayed.
Minister reply
The Minister thanks Chris Bryant for sharing his experience, noting that Mr. Sharp has not sought to be politically active on the board but suggests the Prime Minister is not delaying the process.
Question
The MP questions if it’s time for a grown-up conversation about the future of the BBC licence fee, noting its regressive nature.
Minister reply
The Minister mentions they will examine these questions in advance of 2027 charter renewal, considering whether the licence fee is sustainable as media consumption changes.
Fleur Anderson
Lab
Putney
Question
The MP asks if the merger of BBC World News and BBC News is a commercial or political decision. She inquires about indirect or direct pressure on the BBC to reduce its UK news coverage.
Minister reply
The Minister states it is not for them to determine how the BBC organises its services, but they care that these are delivered impartially and with high quality.
Question
The MP questions if there has been indirect or direct pressure on the BBC to reduce its UK news coverage. She mentions instances of unchecked criticism towards Gary Lineker.
Minister reply
Whether there is a level playing field between different employees of the BBC is for the BBC to determine, according to the Minister.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
The BBC is losing connection with the licence fee payer because of the Government's compromise on independence through Richard Sharp’s appointment. Additionally, services such as the BBC World Service and local radio have been cut significantly, leading to strikes by staff. The weekend saw sports programmes being taken off air due to a perceived breach of free speech. What steps will she take to ensure that public priorities are restored at the BBC and freedom of speech is protected?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady’s assertion about slashing services at the BBC is inaccurate. The corporation has been guaranteed an income of £3.8 billion per year for several years ahead, despite significant financial pressures on households. We did not believe it was appropriate to alter this settlement under these circumstances.
Shadow Comment
Lucy Powell
Shadow Comment
The shadow raises serious concerns over the Government's involvement in BBC impartiality issues, criticising the recent removal of a presenter due to political pressure. She questions the Minister about direct contact between Government officials and BBC executives during this period. Additionally, she expresses disappointment with the appointment of a BBC chair entangled in Prime Ministerial financial investigations, undermining confidence in his ability to lead independently. The shadow also accuses the Government of deliberately undermining the BBC’s credibility and funding to gain favourable coverage.
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