THE Scottish Government accused its UK counterpart of a “lack of respect” amid the hiring process for the BBC’s new board member for Scotland, a Freedom of Information (FOI) release has revealed.
Disagreements between the two governments opened up after the Tory government unilaterally decided on the appointment, and then gave the Scottish government just two days to respond.
READ MORE: Kevin McKenna: Here’s what Muriel Gray will be bringing us more of at the BBC
The FOI request, details of which were published on the Scottish Government website on Thursday, asked for all correspondence relating to the eventual appointment of Muriel Gray as the BBC nation board member for Scotland.
In response, the Scottish Government published letters exchanged by Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson with UK ministers.
The first letter was sent from Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries (below) to Robertson.
In correspondence dated December 7, 2021, the top Tory makes clear that Boris Johnson would like to appoint Gray to the BBC board. Dorries asks for a response “by December 9”.
In a scathing response, Robertson accused the Tory government of a “lack of respect”, and asked why Scottish ministers had only been asked to give the green light to a decision, rather than being consulted before it was made.
Robertson wrote: “I am dissatisfied … with the unacceptably short timescale you have allowed for a response from Scottish Ministers demonstrating a lack of respect for what should be our shared role in this appointment …
READ MORE: Wee Ginger Dug: Putting Muriel Gray on the board sums up the BBC's Scotland problem
“You said you needed this quick response... However, it is also the case that the interviews and panel report were concluded in July and we have had no explanation for the extended delay of five months so far in making this appointment.”
He added: “Amid what I can only describe as a climate of distrust about public appointments in broadcasting at the moment, I seek your assurance that this delay does not reflect any difficulty we need to be aware of regarding this important appointment for the BBC Board Member who represents audiences in Scotland.”
The reply came not from Dorries, but from Julia Lopez, a minister in the UK Government’s culture department.
Lopez apologised for the short time scale given to the Scottish Government in Dorries’s letter, and outlined why Gray had been chosen for the role in more detail.
She added: “We included a Scottish Government representative on the Panel - Jonathan Pryce, Director for Culture, Tourism and Major Events, Scottish Government - in order to ensure that the Scottish Government was represented throughout the process.”
Robertson thanked Lopez for the letter, but then said: “I cannot agree, however, with your assertion that Scottish Government was involved throughout the process since we were not part of the final decision.”
READ MORE: Alba MP criticises Robertson for approving Muriel Gray's BBC board role
“While a more efficient process on your part would have avoided this undesirable haste, I have considered this appointment and, since Ms Gray was deemed appointable by the panel, I accept that her nomination can go forward,” he added.
Further correspondence between redacted figures reveals that the announcement of Gray’s appointment had to be brought forward after the media learned of it ahead of time.
As a member of the BBC board, Gray receives a salary of £33,000 a year for around two days work a week as well as an extra £5000 for chairing the Scotland committee.
The names of the other applicants considered alongside Gray were all redacted from the FOI release.
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