Now not the time to replace BBC chair, says committee head

The head of the Culture Select Committee has said now is not the time to replace BBC chairman Samir Shah, saying someone needs to bring the corporation “on equal footing”.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s The Media Show, Dame Caroline Dinenage – who described Shah’s evidence before the committee this week as “stubborn” – advised against further changes at the top of the corporation.

Director General Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Ternes both resigned over the Panorama episode, which edited together parts of US President Donald Trump’s 2021 speech.

Shah told the committee that he wanted to fix the BBC’s problems, saying, “He is not the kind of person who walks away”.

Trump has threatened to sue the BBC, claiming defamation. The BBC has apologized but not provided financial compensation, which the President had requested.

Asked about Shah’s position, Conservative MP Dame Caroline – who heads the Culture, Media and Sport Committee – told The Media Show: “I think at the moment, I would advise against any large-scale change to the head of the BBC.

“They need to select a new Director General and now a new Director General Deputy, they also need to start the process of charter review.

“And I think they need to take a hard look at themselves and demonstrate that they are capable of providing effective leadership.”

The controversy at the BBC was caused by a leaked memo written to the board by a former external adviser, Michael Prescott.

Since then some concerns have been raised about how the BBC board operates.

Dame Caroline said that “there is chaos in parts of the BBC” and that “the board itself is certainly a part of it”.

He said that “some real fundamental changes are needed from within” but “somebody needs to steady the ship, somebody needs to get it back on an even footing”.

Dame Caroline questioned whether Shah had given a “selective” account of the resignation of former board member Shumeet Banerjee, who shared his resignation letter with the BBC on Tuesday.

Banerjee said in the letter that Turnes was told that he did not have the confidence of the majority of the board, but he was not invited to any meeting where it was discussed.

During the committee hearing, Shah was asked about Banerjee’s resignation, saying that he believed she had consulted him and that the two had a “26-minute conversation”.

“It seems to paint a completely different picture to the one that Dr Shah gave the committee,” Dame Caroline said.

He added: “If we take Mr Banerjee’s resignation at face value, there are really two options – either the Chairperson gave the committee a very selective account of how she dealt with Mr Banerjee during that week.

“Or the president is not doing as good a job as he thinks he is of bringing all of his board members together and leading the organization.”

None of this, he said, is “very good news for the BBC or Dr Shah”.

Dame Caroline said she would discuss the matter with Shah when the committee writes to him later this week. Asked if she could recall Shah, or call Banerjee, she said there was nothing wrong.

Other members of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee have expressed their concerns about the BBC board.

Labor MP Rupa Haq said: “I think Mr Banerjee’s resignation and the reasons he gave in his letter – inadequate consultation with board members – demonstrate that, despite the polished and well-rehearsed performance of the representatives attending our committee on Monday, all is not well across the BBC board.”

“A stronger chair could have prevented this scenario,” the Ealing Central and Acton MP said, sharing Mr Banerjee’s resignation letter, adding: “I’m afraid this matter is far from over.”

And Cameron Thomas, Liberal Democrat MP for Tewkesbury, said: “Although Dr Shah claims to enjoy the support of those remaining board members, these three resignations at the top of the BBC are leaving a question mark over his credibility.”

He added, “Mr Banerjee’s resignation letter casts further doubt on Dr Shah’s leadership and I saw nothing in Monday’s committee to give me confidence that he can lead the BBC through this storm … created by leaked boardroom communications”.