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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, after 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, after 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.

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Dame Caroline Dinenage, who chairs the culture, media and sport select committee, stated that MPs were not convinced the BBC board is in safe hands under current chairman Samir Shah following his Monday appearance before the committee.

Dame Caroline Dinenage, who chairs the culture, media and sport select committee, stated that MPs were not convinced the BBC board is in safe hands under current chairman Samir Shah following his Monday appearance before the committee.

Shah apologized to license fee payers for mistakes highlighted in a leaked memo by former editorial adviser Michael Prescott and announced that the search for a new director-general had begun following recent resignations.

Shah apologized to license fee payers for mistakes highlighted in a leaked memo by former editorial adviser Michael Prescott and announced that the search for a new director-general had begun following recent resignations.

The BBC faced criticism over its delayed response to controversy regarding how a Donald Trump speech from January 6, 2021 was edited in a Panorama program, with Shah acknowledging the corporation was too slow to act.

The BBC faced criticism over its delayed response to controversy regarding how a Donald Trump speech from January 6, 2021 was edited in a Panorama program, with Shah acknowledging the corporation was too slow to act.

In the disputed edit, Trump's words were rearranged to show him saying consecutive statements that were actually spoken more than 50 minutes apart, creating what the BBC later said was a mistaken impression of direct violent action.

In the disputed edit, Trump's words were rearranged to show him saying consecutive statements that were actually spoken more than 50 minutes apart, creating what the BBC later said was a mistaken impression of direct violent action.

Shah proposed creating a deputy director-general position focused on journalism, stating the director-general role was too big for one person, while also announcing a review of the Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee.

Shah proposed creating a deputy director-general position focused on journalism, stating the director-general role was too big for one person, while also announcing a review of the Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee.

Non-executive board member Sir Robbie Gibb dismissed allegations of orchestrating a boardroom coup as ridiculous and said he should be judged on his 25-year BBC career rather than his political communications work.

Non-executive board member Sir Robbie Gibb dismissed allegations of orchestrating a boardroom coup as ridiculous and said he should be judged on his 25-year BBC career rather than his political communications work.

BBC Chairman Samir Shah delivered a wishy-washy performance that failed to convince MPs he can grip the corporation's editorial scandals. His inability to provide straight answers about delayed responses to bias issues shows clear chaos at the heart of BBC governance. The board simply isn't in safe hands under his weak leadership.

BBC Chairman Samir Shah delivered a wishy-washy performance that failed to convince MPs he can grip the corporation's editorial scandals. His inability to provide straight answers about delayed responses to bias issues shows clear chaos at the heart of BBC governance. The board simply isn't in safe hands under his weak leadership.

The BBC has taken decisive action on editorial concerns, implementing corrections, leadership changes and new oversight structures over three years. Chairman Shah's comprehensive response demonstrates serious commitment to addressing issues while maintaining perspective on thousands of hours of outstanding journalism produced. Real reforms are already underway.

The BBC has taken decisive action on editorial concerns, implementing corrections, leadership changes and new oversight structures over three years. Chairman Shah's comprehensive response demonstrates serious commitment to addressing issues while maintaining perspective on thousands of hours of outstanding journalism produced. Real reforms are already underway.

MPs Question BBC Chairman Shah After Editorial Scandals

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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.

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.

Select Committee Chair Says BBC Not in ‘Safe Hands’

MPsSelect QuestionCommittee Chair Says BBC ChairmanNot Shahin After‘Safe Editorial ScandalsHands’

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Select Committee Chair Says BBC Not in ‘Safe Hands’

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