Kelvin Hopkins MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, responding to the publication of the BBC Charter, said:

“The Tories have been forced to backtrack on many of their most extreme proposals for the BBC after Labour pressure, because they were out of step with the overwhelming majority of the public.

“There are still real concerns that the Government will seek to influence the BBC’s editorial decision making, and that the broadcaster will come under undue political interference as a result.  

“The Government must listen to the public who have said time and time again that they value the BBC’s independence, and that they want it to carry on making the programmes we all enjoy without further funding cuts.”