Old news

The PR-monster that is the John-Simpson-self-publicity machine has cranked into gear ahead of the publication of his novel, Moscow Midnight.

The BBC's part-time World Affairs Editor, now 74, has granted an 'exclusive' interview to the Mail on Sunday's Event magazine. The Mail understands that key characters in the novel have some real-life parallels, featuring 'a heroic reporter, Jon Swift, whose nemesis is a craven, risk-averse head of news, Daniel Porchester.' Could they be Simpson and the previous Director of BBC News, James Harding ?

Simpson says of Mr Harding: ‘He came in believing the BBC had far too many old white men at the top. I realised I was being propelled towards the exit with soap on the threshold to make sure I skidded through. By the end I was on my knees, clinging on by my fingernails… I wasn’t travelling, big stories I thought I ought to be doing, such as the official report into the Iraq war, were assigned to other people. They started to cut my pay down by two-thirds… He wanted rid of me.’

‘What really p***** me off about trying to get rid of older people is that it is based on your date of birth, not the quality of your reporting. That is why I am so deeply offended someone tried to get rid of me solely on those grounds. I don’t think there is any difference in my capabilities now and 20 years ago.’

Mr Simpson's sensitive ego seems to have been smoothed by current News boss Fran Unsworth, who has apparently assured him he's part of ‘the history and architecture of BBC News’.

‘There’s a real sense of relief that someone who doesn’t have to learn on the job is in charge.’

Mail on Sunday readers will be familiar with key elements of this 'exclusive', last published by paper five months ago.