Hammer time

Julian Knight MP, new chair of the Commons Select Committee on Culture Etc, makes very few bones about his attitude to the BBC. He's summoned Lord Hall for an appearance a week on Thursday, with this rallying cry.

“The BBC has made headlines for the wrong reasons in recent months – axing hundreds of news posts, asking over-75s to pay up, and digging into budgets to settle equal pay claims. Unprecedented changes in how we watch and listen mean the broadcaster faces a fight for its future.

“We’re concerned about the BBC’s preparations to deal with these challenges, particularly when its Director-General has decided to step down at such a critical time.

“The Committee will be scrutinising the corporation’s planning as a priority to ensure that the interests of licence fee payers are at its heart and will be holding its senior leadership to account.”