Dear Robbie

The important bits of Caroline Thomson and Richard Sambrook's report on the problems with the BBC's Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee are, without formal stating, for the immediate attention of non-executive director Sir Robbie Gibb.  Try this paragaph on a clear restatement of the committee's remit...  

In fulfilling the remit it is important to be clear that the Board, and consequently this subcommittee, does not have a role, nor has ever had or tried to have, a role in assessing. individual editorial decisions, except in so far as they help in establishing overall standards.  It is for the Board to set the Editorial Guidelines and the Director-General to meet them

It was in March 2024 that new chairman Samir Shah first attended a meeting of the EGSC "as an observer", watching Senior Independent Director Sir Nicholas Serota chair the session. By May 2024, Samir had decided he should chair the EGSC.  Caroline Thomson and Richard Sambrook want that changed back. This allows matters which get out of hand at the EGSC to be 'referred up' to the Board Chair, rather than explode on the pages of the Daily Telegraph. 

And Robbie Gibbs' influence on the EGSC will be diluted by adding two more non-executives to the formal attendees.  And, officially, the Director General, as editor in chief, will be the only executive member of the EGSC - though an even bigger rolling maul of BBC editors, managers and bureaucrats will attend monthly, to ingest directly the words of wisdom.