Top-ranking sanctimony in the latest missive from Ofcom to the BBC, regarding complaints about the Martin Bashir's Panorama interview with the Prince of Wales.
Chief BBC Minder Kevin Bakhurst writes first to David Hooper QC who had called on Ofcom to set up it's own investigation. Mr Bakhurst's conclusion: "We do not have any remit under the Charter to investigate whether the BBC has complied with Articles 4, 5, 6 and 9 [of the Charter], as you request. Nor do we have a remit to investigate the adequacy of the BBC’s general corporate governance processes in connection with the Interview, the 1996 inquiry or subsequently. The issue of governance of the BBC is for the BBC Board."
Dame Melanie Dawes notifies the BBC of this decision, yet adds "We think it is essential that the BBC ensures that the concerns raised about this programme are investigated thoroughly.
"One of the BBC’s Public Purposes is to ensure that its news and factual content is provided to the
“highest editorial standards”. It is important that the BBC holds itself to account, openly and
transparently, in relation to historic allegations of failing to achieve those standards. This is
necessary to maintain trust and confidence in the BBC’s journalism and editorial practices. As we
found in our BBC News Review, historic events can have a long-term effect on the way the BBC’s
content is perceived today. "
My draft letter starts "Dear Melanie, I'm sure you and many of your staff have opinions, but at this stage, nobody's asked for them....
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