Some gentle eyebrow-raising at the appointment of Peter Johnston to lead on "Russell Brand At The BBC". Said Tim Davie of Pete: "He's a highly respected, experienced editorial executive".
Peter, 58, (Ballymena Academy and Chemical Engineering and Management, Imperial College London) joined the marketing division of Shell International from college, and in 1991 returned to Northern Ireland and joined Coopers and Lybrand (PWC) as a management consultant. He joined the BBC in 1994 in audience research.
He moved up to Controller Northern Ireland in 2006. Over that time, we've seen The Fall and Line of Duty; the rise of Stephen Nolan; the decline of Radio Foyle; and a number of departures, NDAs and employment tribunals. In 2012 he survived the Newsnight/McAlpine fiasco, despite being in the chain of command. The executive report said "There was a single additional referral to Peter Johnston, as the editor-in-chief on Savile related issues, about which recollections differ; but the executive takes the view that the actual go-ahead for transmission was a decision taken in London within Newsnight and BBC News."
2021's report by Lord Dyson into l'affaire Bashir led to the Serota Review; in 2022, Mr Johnston was shifted from Northern Ireland to lead on changes sought in editorial processes, governance, and culture, with a 10-point impartiality plan. He's not going back to the NI job, but he's still on £200k+.
On Friday met with church leaders, press officers, Peter Johnston and Mark Adair BBC NI w/ Martin Bashir Religious Affairs correspondent. Also with various cross-community groups to discuss broadcasting of community and religious programmes. pic.twitter.com/Pha9r2MhyK
— PCI Moderator (@PCIModerator) April 14, 2018
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