Maria Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, responding to reports that the BBC White Paper may be delayed until after the EU referendum, says:

“The Culture Secretary originally said the White Paper would be published in the spring. And last week I said he must guarantee that there would be no further slippage, and that the White Paper must be published by May at the absolute latest.

“Tory ministers need to ensure that internal divisions ahead of the EU referendum do not prevent the Government from securing the best future for our national broadcaster.

“The Government has already created a cloud of uncertainty over the future of the BBC. So to cast further doubt on the Corporation’s future by delaying the White Paper again would be unacceptable.”