Hostilities resumed

The Mail On Sunday quotes "senior Government sources" for a story that Tim Davie could be fired when the Government appoints a new BBC chairman in February "if he fails to address No 10's concerns about anti-Tory bias at the BBC."

" No 10 is understood to be giving the marketing expert six months to prove he is serious about reforming the BBC."

The paper tips former Culture Secretary Baroness Morgan and former Chancellor and media mogul George Osborne as contenders for the BBC Chairman role - both public opponents of continuing with the licence fee. If either were to be appointed, it would be extraordinary in normal times - but we live in a country where decisions are taken by Dominic Cummings, usually on the basis of private polling.