Sunday, 5. September 2004

Birt says Grade was PM's 'worst choice' for BBC job


The Prime Minister has been warned by his adviser John Birt that the choice of Michael Grade as chairman of the BBC is 'the worst public appointment' he has made.

The bitter verdict was offered in a letter to Number 10 by Birt shortly after Grade's appointment, according to new allegations made by Greg Dyke, Birt's successor as director-general. The claim, made in Dyke's new book, is likely to spark fresh anger about the influence exerted by Birt. As a Downing Street advisor, he will be party to the debate over the BBC's charter renewal and the future of the licence fee.

media.guardian

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