If the BBC represents ‘good value for money’ in this age of austerity, then frankly I am a gorilla. The way the BBC wastes its money, and its general corporate arrogance and demeanour, makes me physically sick. They have also caused me and my family no end of mental torture.
A recent report in the Telegraph makes very grim reading for those of us who believe that the BBC has extremely poor standards in editorial competence, in accuracy, impartiality and balance.
To add insult to injury, the BBC last year spent £31,500 on taxis, £21,000 on hospitality and £45,500 on flights.
Helen Boaden, Director of BBC News, claimed £240 for a “leaving party” which 12 people attended, but the name of the departing staff member was blacked out.
Bob Shennan, the Controller of Radio 2 and 6 Music, spent £217 on “wine purchased for the team” on February 16th, the night of the Brit Awards.
Ken MacQuarrie, Director of BBC Scotland, claimed £165 for a new aeroplane ticket having “missed previous flight”.
Mark Thompson, the corporation’s Director-General, claimed £4,449 for flights to the Sun Valley conference in Idaho, and a further £4,429 for a trip to Boston but a note claims that “this flight was not used and a refund should appear”. He also claimed £177 for a second passport.
Erik Huggers, Director of Future Media & Technology, claimed £1,242 to travel from Tel Aviv to Paris in April, claiming it was the “last seat” on the “only available flight” because of “ash cloud travel disruption”.
Alan Yentob, the BBC’s Creative Director, claimed £123.50 for a train from London Paddington to Castle Cary on the opening day of the nearby Glastonbury festival. He also spent £822 on a flight from Heathrow to Nice in the South of France, when the same journey can be booked currently for £136.
Danny Cohen, the Controller of BBC Three who is to become the Controller of BBC1, spent £1,657 on an eight-night stay in a Los Angeles hotel.
This is your money they’re playing with. And they’re the ones pedalling the cuts are necessary, not letting you know of Labour’s alternative. How sickened do I feel? Very…
Dr Shibley Rahman is a research physician and research lawyer by training.
Queen’s Scholar, BA (1st.), MA, MB, BChir, PhD, MRCP(UK), LLB(Hons.), FRSA
Director of Law and Medicine Limited
Member of the Fabian Society and Associate of the Institute of Directors
