On approval

Some bits from the DCMS Select Committee report on Dr Samir Shah's appointment as BBC Chair... 

The selection panel was Susannah Storey (DCMS Permanent Secretary), Sir Ron Kalifa OBE, Bill Bush, and Hedley Finn OBE. 37 applications were received; ten were shortlisted, and, after interviews, no less than seven were deemed appointable, for Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer to pick from. 

The Committee's verdict ?

During our hearing, Dr Shah highlighted his significant experience with the BBC, but also relied on the more than 20 years since he was employed by the Corporation as a reason not to answer some of the questions we put to him. He was willing to be drawn on some issues, such as the BBC’s social media guidelines and his opinions of Gary Lineker’s adherence to them; however, on many other issues such as changes to local radio and cuts to Newsnight, he declined to express an opinion but undertook to write to the Committee with answers to some of the questions posed. We look forward to hearing from him shortly.

We were disappointed that Dr Shah was not willing to express a view on fundamental principles, such as board level interference in the BBC and other bodies and on political impartiality. In his evidence to us, Dr Shah did not sufficiently demonstrate the strength and character that is needed to challenge the executive leadership of the BBC.

While we are of the view that Dr Shah is appointable as Chair, we have serious reservations about his willingness to offer his opinions and insight on some of the most fundamental issues facing the Corporation, and his ability to provide the robust challenge that the BBC leadership requires at this time.

If the Government chooses to proceed with the appointment of Dr Shah as Chair of the BBC Board, we expect him to appear before the Committee within the first three months of appointment to demonstrate that he has sufficiently considered and addressed our concerns.