Ministers to launch probe into the BBC’s ‘Islingtonian left-wing bias’

Ministers have reportedly opened up a fresh probe into the BBC over accusations that it has an ‘Islingtonian left-wing bias’.

A mid-term review will focus on its compliance with impartiality requirements, even though the official regulator is generally satisfied with the BBC’s record on impartiality

Culture secretary Nadine Dorries is also thought to be looking at scrapping the £159-a-year licence fee when the current Royal charter comes to an end in 2027.

Dorries said that the current model was “completely outdated” and Ministers would be “looking very seriously about how we fund the BBC”, with decisions taken ‘well ahead’ of the Corporation’s charter renewal in 2027

The review, held at the mid-point of the ten-year charter, is also expected to examine whether the BBC abuses its dominant market position to the detriment of commercial rivals.

Dorries has previously criticised the BBC’s approach as “elitist” and “snobbish” and has accused it of being dominated by anti-Brexit, Left-wing staff, with too many “dull, boring, male and ageing wig-wearing men” presenting programmes.

Jack Peat

Jack is a business and economics journalist and the founder of The London Economic (TLE). He has contributed articles to VICE, Huffington Post and Independent and is a published author. Jack read History at the University of Wales, Bangor and has a Masters in Journalism from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.