The Chair of the Culture Select Committee has asserted that now is not the opportune moment to replace BBC Chairman Samir Shah, emphasizing the need for stable leadership to guide the corporation toward stability.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s The Media Show, Dame Caroline Dinenage, while acknowledging Shah’s testimony to the committee this week as “wishy-washy,” advised against further leadership upheaval at the BBC.
This comes in the wake of resignations from Director General Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness, triggered by a “Panorama” episode that selectively edited portions of a 2021 speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Shah informed the committee of his intention to resolve existing issues within the BBC, affirming that he is “not someone who walks away.”
Trump has threatened legal action against the BBC, alleging defamation. The BBC has issued an apology but has not provided financial compensation, as requested by the former president.
When questioned about Shah’s position, Conservative MP Dame Caroline, who leads the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, conveyed to “The Media Show”: “I believe that at present, it would be ill-advised to implement further significant leadership changes at the BBC.”
“The corporation needs to appoint a new director general and a deputy director general, alongside initiating the process of Charter Review.”
“Moreover, the BBC should undertake a thorough self-assessment and demonstrate its capacity to provide effective leadership.”
The turmoil within the BBC originated from a leaked memo to the board, authored by former external advisor Michael Prescott.
Subsequent concerns have been raised regarding the operational dynamics of the BBC board.
Dame Caroline indicated that there is “chaos in some parts of the BBC” and that the “board themselves are certainly a part of this”.
She stated that “some real fundamental changes from within” are necessary, emphasizing that “someone needs to steady the ship, someone needs to get it back on an even keel.”
Dame Caroline also questioned whether Shah had provided a “selective” account regarding the resignation of former board member Shumeet Banerji, who shared his resignation letter with the BBC on Tuesday.
In his letter, Banerji claimed that Turness was informed that she did not have the confidence of the majority of the board, and that he was excluded from meetings where this was discussed.
During the committee hearing, when questioned about Banerji’s resignation, Shah stated that he believed he had consulted with him and that they had engaged in a “26-minute call”.
“It seems to paint a very different picture to the one that Dr Shah gave the committee,” said Dame Caroline.
She continued: “If we take Mr Banerji’s resignation at face value, there’s really two options – either the chair gave a very selective account to the committee of how he worked with Mr Banerji during that week.
“Or the chair is not doing as good a job as he seems to think he is about bringing all the members of his board together, and leading the organisation.”
Neither of these is “very good news for either the BBC or Dr Shah”, she added.
Dame Caroline declared that she would be following up with Shah on this matter when the committee writes to him later this week. When asked if she could recall Shah, or call Banerji, she stated that nothing was off the table.
Other members of the Culture, Media and Sport committee have voiced their concerns about the BBC board.
Labour MP Rupa Huq stated: “I believe that Mr. Banerji’s resignation, along with the reasons cited in his letter regarding inadequate consultation with board members, demonstrates that all is not well on the BBC board, despite the polished and well-rehearsed performances of the representatives who appeared before our committee on Monday.”
The Ealing Central and Acton MP suggested “a strong chair would have prevented this scenario,” adding that with Mr. Banerji’s resignation letter being shared: “I fear this matter is not over yet.”
Liberal Democrat MP for Tewkesbury, Cameron Thomas, commented: “Though Dr. Shah claims to enjoy the backing of those remaining board members, these three resignations at the top of the BBC continue to leave a question mark over his credibility.”
He added: “Mr Banerji’s resignation letter casts yet further doubt upon Dr Shah’s leadership and I observed nothing in Monday’s committee to give me faith that he can steer the BBC through this storm… a storm created by leaked boardroom communications”.
Shumeet Banerji resigned on Friday citing “governance issues” but the full reasons were not known until now.
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Samir Shah says he is “not someone who walks away” after criticism of his handling of the recent crisis over Panorama’s edit of a Donald Trump speech.