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BBC may not be in 'safe hands' under its chair, says committee head

The Telegraph

Bbc Not In Safe Hands Under Chairman

Nation.Cymru

BBC may not be in safe hands with chairman, says head of culture committee

BBC chairman faces MPs after high-profile resignations

UK Parliament

Formal Meeting Oral Evidence Session

BBC chairman's statement in full

Youtube

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Tim Davie and Deborah Turness resign: BBC statements in full

Guardian

BBC to expand standards panel and add deputy director general after bias row

The chair of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, has suggested that MPs are unconvinced the BBC is in “safe hands” under current chairman Samir Shah, following his appearance before the committee on Monday.

The chair of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, has suggested that MPs are unconvinced the BBC is in “safe hands” under current chairman Samir Shah, following his appearance before the committee on Monday.

Shah told the assembled MPs that it was his job to “steer the ship” through the crisis that has gripped the corporation since <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/bbc-whistleblower-exposes-misleading-trump-jan-edit">Michael Prescott’s memo accusing the BBC of bias</a>, which resulted in the resignations of Director-General Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness.

Shah told the assembled MPs that it was his job to “steer the ship” through the crisis that has gripped the corporation since Michael Prescott’s memo accusing the BBC of bias, which resulted in the resignations of Director-General Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s “The World Tonight,” Dame Caroline, however, said there “wasn’t a huge sense that there was grip at the heart of the BBC governance,” with the committee chair identifying “some issues of governance” and “chaos” at the board level.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s “The World Tonight,” Dame Caroline, however, said there “wasn’t a huge sense that there was grip at the heart of the BBC governance,” with the committee chair identifying “some issues of governance” and “chaos” at the board level.

In response to these challenges, Dame Caroline stated that Shah lacked “direct answers,” including on how to get the public broadcaster to “act more decisively” to address these issues, with the BBC chair only providing “wishy-washy” evidence.

In response to these challenges, Dame Caroline stated that Shah lacked “direct answers,” including on how to get the public broadcaster to “act more decisively” to address these issues, with the BBC chair only providing “wishy-washy” evidence.

When asked where this leaves the BBC chair, Dame Caroline said Shah was in a “very difficult position,” but stressed that the BBC must not find itself without a director-general and a chair, and that a decision to replace Shah was for the BBC board and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

When asked where this leaves the BBC chair, Dame Caroline said Shah was in a “very difficult position,” but stressed that the BBC must not find itself without a director-general and a chair, and that a decision to replace Shah was for the BBC board and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

During Monday’s oral session, Shah also stated that the vacant director-general role was “too big for one person” and that there should be a deputy director-general, “laser-focused on journalism,” following earlier <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/bbc-chiefs-resign-over-bias-claims-board-member-quits">reporting by The Guardian that the BBC was considering creating such a position</a>.

During Monday’s oral session, Shah also stated that the vacant director-general role was “too big for one person” and that there should be a deputy director-general, “laser-focused on journalism,” following earlier reporting by The Guardian that the BBC was considering creating such a position.

BBC Chairman Samir Shah delivered a wishy-washy performance that failed to convince MPs he can effectively address the corporation’s editorial challenges. His inability to provide straight answers about delayed responses to bias issues clearly shows chaos at the heart of BBC governance. The broadcaster is categorically not safe under his weak leadership.

BBC Chairman Samir Shah delivered a wishy-washy performance that failed to convince MPs he can effectively address the corporation’s editorial challenges. His inability to provide straight answers about delayed responses to bias issues clearly shows chaos at the heart of BBC governance. The broadcaster is categorically not safe under his weak leadership.

Telegraph

Bbc Bosses Questioned Mps Editorial Standards Shah Gibb

Right narrative

The BBC has taken decisive action on editorial concerns, implementing corrections, leadership changes and new oversight structures over the past three years. Shah’s comprehensive response to Prescott’s findings demonstrates his commitment to addressing these issues while maintaining perspective on the thousands of hours of outstanding journalism the BBC has produced.

The BBC has taken decisive action on editorial concerns, implementing corrections, leadership changes and new oversight structures over the past three years. Shah’s comprehensive response to Prescott’s findings demonstrates his commitment to addressing these issues while maintaining perspective on the thousands of hours of outstanding journalism the BBC has produced.

Left narrative

There's a 68% chance that President Donald J. Trump will take legal action against the BBC, filing a lawsuit in the U.S. only, before 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 68% chance that President Donald J. Trump will take legal action against the BBC, filing a lawsuit in the U.S. only, before 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Select Committee Chair Says BBC Not in ‘Safe Hands’

The Spin

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Left narrative

Metaculus Prediction

Political split

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Select Committee Chair Says BBC Not in ‘Safe Hands’

The Spin

Right narrative

Left narrative

Metaculus Prediction

Political split

LEFT

RIGHT

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