Harriet Harman MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, responding to the news that the Government has extended the deadline for the BBC Trust Chair by a week and opened the job to someone committing less than three days a week, said:

“The Chair of the BBC Trust is an important role and the appointment must be made on merit and not on party political lines. We have real concerns that these changes signal that the process is being changed to suit a particular applicant for political reasons – and this means that they could be dedicating less time to the job than Lord Patten did.  This is a significant difference in approach and there has been no consultation.

“It is a critical time for the BBC.  The organisation is working hard to learn lessons from the Saville scandal, addressing issues around executive pay and grappling with the demands of an ever changing technological landscape. Despite these challenges, the BBC remains a trusted news organisation and loved cultural institution. 

“Ahead of a General Election and ahead of charter renewal, it is vital that the Government’s process is open and fair and the final appointment is made on merit.”