Commenting on the news that the Government will appoint a new BBC governing body, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Maria Eagle MP, said:

“Both the Clementi report and the public consultation make clear that the independence of the BBC must be at the heart of its future. 

"With the independence of the BBC clearly at real risk from this Government’s mendacity, independent appointment processes must underpin the formation of a new unitary board, including its Chair. 

"It is unacceptable that Ministers are ignoring what the public want from the BBC, and that they are so desperate to bend it to their political will. Labour will stand up and defend the independence of the BBC, which is under attack from this Tory Government.”