Former BBC director general Tony Hall is spearheading demands to eliminate political appointments to the broadcaster's governing board, following growing concerns about the influence of Conservative figure Robbie Gibb.
Mounting Pressure Over Political Influence
Lord Hall, who led the BBC between 2013 and 2020, has insisted that political involvement must be removed from the process of appointing board members and its chair. This intervention comes as MPs, BBC staff members and the main broadcasting union have all called for the removal of Robbie Gibb from his position.
Gibb, who served as Theresa May's former communications chief and has described himself as a 'proper Thatcherite Conservative', was initially placed on the BBC board by Boris Johnson's administration. Critics allege he has used his position on both the main board and the editorial standards committee to pressure the corporation over perceived liberal bias.
Charter Renewal Opportunity for Reform
Lord Hall identified the upcoming BBC charter renewal discussions as 'a fantastic opportunity' for Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to implement reforms that would depoliticise the broadcaster. 'Perception is often all and it's the perception of someone coming with their own political views which is the problem, whoever it might be,' he told the Guardian.
The situation escalated recently when a memo by Michael Prescott, a public relations executive and former independent external adviser to the BBC's editorial guidelines committee, prompted the resignations of current director general Tim Davie and BBC News head Deborah Turness. The difficult board meeting last Thursday has left the BBC leaderless during crucial charter negotiations with the government.
Structural Changes and Union Demands
Urgent reforms are now underway within the editorial standards committee, where Gibb was one of only five members. The changes are expected to dilute his influence, though defenders argue he wants to protect the BBC and supported both Davie and the licence fee.
Bectu, the BBC's largest union, has joined calls for Gibb's removal. Union head Philippa Childs stated: 'The culture secretary has been very clear in her support for the BBC and its independence. It is time for her to demonstrate that by acting now.'
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has indicated she will examine scrapping political appointments to the BBC board as part of charter renewal talks, acknowledging that such appointments have 'damaged confidence and trust in the BBC's impartiality.'
