Tories fume as ‘biased’ BBC looks set to appoint ex-Labour minister as head of radio for election
The culture secretary under Tony Blair is being lined up for the job as director giving him almost complete control of the radio
A FORMER Labour Minister is set to run BBC radio in the run up to the 2020 Election in a move that has outraged Tory MPs.
James Purnell, a culture secretary under Tony Blair, is being lined up for the plumb job of director of radio as a reward for leading negotiations on the BBC Charter Renewal.
It would hand the £295,000 a year strategy chief almost complete control of radio programming as audiences reach new highs.
He was given his first editorial role – responsibility for education programming – last month after an interview by panellists including Alice Perkins – the wife of Labour veteran Jack Straw, a former Cabinet colleague.
Downing Street sources yesterday indicated Theresa May would not attempt to block the promotion. But furious Tory MPs said it would trigger fresh fears about BBC’s bias.
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Tory backbencher Andrew Bridgen told the Sun: “Unfortunately, it’s just not a surprise.
“Putting a former Labour Minister in charge of radio programming in the run up to the Election? It’s just yet another statement about the BBC’s political leanings.”
“You can’t a job on Newsnight unless you work for the Guardian.”
Damian Collins, a Tory MP on the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee, added: “I do think it’s highly unusual. I can’t think of any other example of a former politician running such a major part of the BBC’s programming.
“Because of his political background there will undoubtedly be questions about impartiality.”
James Purnell is expected to take on the role of overseeing radio when Helen Boaden, the current director, steps down in the autumn after 30 years at the Beeb.
The BBC’s director of news James Harding is expected to retain direct control over the news content of Radio 4’s hugely influential Today programme.
Mr Purnell was tipped as a possible Labour leader until he resigned in 2009 as part of the bid to overthrow Gordon Brown before announcing his decision to leave politics altogether a year later.
He had worked as head of corporate planning at the state broadcaster before embarking on his career in Westminster in the late 1990s.