SIR WILLIAM Cash lambasted the BBC in light of the Diana inquest revelations and stated the broadcaster would not be able to get away with their usual ignoring of scandals in a reference to the Jimmy Savile case.
Sir Bill Cash appeared before the House of Commons to ask questions to Media Minister John Whittingale amid the Diana Inquest revelations. The stern MP demanded the Minister to ‘make it clear” to the BBC and Ofcom that any changes to their codes of conduct and standards would be subject to parliamentary approval rather than independent editorial boards in the future Royal Charter review. Conservative Sir Bill added the decision would be put in place so the BBC could not “dodge” any scandal which comes its way and as he referred to the Jimmy Savile scandal which saw whistleblowes scared to come forward.
Speaking to the House of Commons, Sir Bill was invited to ask his question to Mr Wittingdale.
He asked the minister: “Will my right honourable friend make clear that both the BBC and Ofcom must understand that following next year’s midterm review the Government proposed to vary the [Royal Charter].
“And the Government will make the guidelines, impartiality rules and complaints procedures subject to parliamentary approval.
“Without any so-called independent editorial standards boards, which is the same BBC dodge of waiting until things die down and then carrying on as before”.
‘Which we witnessed after the Jimmy Savile affair in relation to whistleblowing when they committed to deal with it and they didn’t”.
The Royal Charter sets out the rules and guidelines the BBC has to follow and is set to be renewed in 2027.”
However, a midterm review was added into the current charter which will allow MP’s to edit and addressing issues that arise before the end date.
Mr Whittingdale replied : “I don’t want to preempt either the BBC’s review of editorial oversight or indeed the midterm review which are just beginning to work on.”
“However my right honourable friend does make some extremely valid points and we did place impartiality in the first line of the BBC’s public purposes.
We will wish ” to be satisfied that the BBC is delivering that but I know that is something the Director-General takes very seriously”.
The Royal Charter will see its midterm review at the beginning of 2022 where the Government will look over the current guidelines to see whether they are still fit for purpose.
Home Secretary Priti Patel warned there would be “reforms”introduced ahead of the charter review which will include governance and funding reforms.
Ms Patel said the broadcaster needed to rebuild the public’s “trust and confidence’ following the Diana’s inquest.
An independent inquiry was launched after Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, went public with allegations the BBC used fake bank statements to win the trust of his sister.
The allegation was first investigated in 1996 by the BBC who found no wrongdoing at the time.
After Earl Spencer went public, an independent inquiry was launched around 2019 led by Lord Dyson to see if his claims had any merit.
The inquiry concluded this month and found the BBC and Martin Bashir used “deceit” to secure their interview with Diana.
Fake bank statements were mocked up by an unwitting graphic designer to show senior Buckingham Palace aides were being paid by newspapers for stories.
The documents were used to gain the trust of the Spencer household which were then followed by fake stories stating Princess Diana was being watched by UK security services.
The subterfuge ultimately led to Diana’s bombshell interview with Panorama where she revealed the affairs of her marriage and doubted Prince Charles being a good king.
Many have now attacked the BBC over the findings with many more questioning the relevancy of the BBC in a streaming world.
