A FORMER Tory communications director who served under Theresa May while she was prime minister must be sacked from the board of the BBC over allegations of cronyism, Labour have said.
Sir Robbie Gibb became a non-executive director of the corporation in May and sits on the board as its “England Nation Member”.
The BBC website says that such “non-executive members for the nations are appointed by HM The Queen on the recommendation of Ministers”.
It was reported in the Financial Times that Gibb attempted to stop former HuffPost UK editor and deputy editor of BBC Newsnight Jess Brammar from being appointed to oversee the BBC’s news channels because he felt it would damage the Government’s “fragile trust in the BBC”.
READ MORE: Tory-appointed BBC director 'tried to block editorial hire on political grounds'
The newspaper reported that Gibb, an ex-senior BBC journalist and former editorial adviser to GB News, had sent a text message to BBC director for news and current affairs Fran Unsworth saying she “cannot make this appointment” and that the Government’s “fragile trust in the BBC will be shattered” if she did.
Brammar challenged the Government while at the helm of HuffPost UK after equalities minister Kemi Badenoch accused one of her journalists of “creepy and bizarre” behaviour over a standard request for comment made to a Government press office.
The FT reported that finalising the hire has taken longer than usual with some at the broadcaster attributing this to the need to vet her social media, but others denied there was a delay.
A BBC spokeperson denied that any appointment had been "blocked".
It comes at a time when the BBC’s director-general Tim Davie has attempted to address concerns over the broadcaster’s impartiality.
Jo Stevens (above), Labour’s shadow digital, culture, media and sport secretary, said: “These allegations raise very serious questions about Conservative cronyism at the heart of the BBC.
“If Robbie Gibb is in post to further Tory interests rather than the public interest, then he is in the wrong job.
“Oliver Dowden must join the calls for him to resign or the BBC must sack him immediately for the sake of its own integrity.”
READ MORE: UK ministers get an easy ride from ‘softball’ BBC News At Six , research finds
Along with being May's communications chief in Downing Street during her time as PM, Gibb also worked as chief of staff to Tory life peer Francis Maude between 1997 and 2000, when Maude was shadow chancellor. He also supported Michael Portillo in his 2001 bid to become the leader of the Tory party.
His brother Nick Gibb (below) is the Tory MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton as well as being the UK Government minister for school standards.
A BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC doesn’t comment on ongoing recruitment processes, which are the responsibility of the executive, but for the record, no recruitment process has been blocked.
“People should wait for the outcome which will be announced in due course.
“And as a general principle, board members are able to discuss issues with other board members or senior executives. These principles were adhered to.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel