Teetering Thommo ?

The Independent has picked up on internal criticism of BBC DG Mark Thompson, noted here yesterday, and confected a piece and commentary that there's a crisis of confidence and he should go.

The trigger was remarks by Deputy Head of News, Steve Mitchell, to journalism students at Kent University, arguing that the DG's public opposition to Murdoch moves to takeover all of BSkyB compromised at least the perception of impartiality, as all complaints head to Thommo in the end, as Editor-in-Chief. The Indie's commentary comes from Tim Luckhurst, Professor of Journalism at Kent.  Chillingly, the comment from the BBC is brief; Mr Mitchell "attended this event in a personal capacity and the views expressed were his own".

There are always rumours about the longevity of DGs, and at times of union disruption, they get magnified. Union activists would love to think they toppled the leader; some even say they'd walk back in if he went. High-minded Trustees, probably chasing the chair to be vacated by Sir Michael Lyons, enjoy talking tough about how they'd sort things out - and people see the DG every day and try to assess his career path by his demeanour, rather than what he says.   

My guess - the Thom(p)son Twins do have a plan. A second cull of senior management is under construction, to be unveiled once a few more ducks are in line.  The Executive Board will be "refreshed" over the next 18 months, and Mark will stay til beyond the Olympics.  A guess, not a bet.