MPs flag ‘serious reservations’ over new BBC chair

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Members of parliament tasked with vetting the incoming BBC chair on his suitability for the role have expressed “serious reservations” about his willingness to challenge the corporation’s leadership.

Samir Shah faced a barrage of questions by MPs on the culture, media and sport committee on Wednesday as part of a scheduled appearance of the veteran television executive ahead of his confirmation as chair of the national broadcaster.

In their report released on Friday, the MPs said that Shah was “appointable as chair” but added that they held “serious reservations about his willingness to offer his opinions and insight on some of the most fundamental issues facing the corporation, and his ability to provide the robust challenge that the BBC leadership requires at this time”.

The report said: “We were disappointed that Dr Shah was not willing to express a view on fundamental principles, such as board-level interference in the BBC and other bodies and on political impartiality. In his evidence to us, Dr Shah did not sufficiently demonstrate the strength and character that is needed to challenge the executive leadership of the BBC.”

Shah was picked as the government’s preferred candidate for the role last week in an appointment process overseen by headhunters.

In a show of what will await him when he formally takes the role next year, MPs grilled Shah on topics such as the controversy around presenter Gary Lineker’s criticism of government policy on social media. Shah suggested that the Match of the Day presenter appeared to have broken the corporation’s guidelines.

Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the committee, said should the government proceed with the appointment, Shah would be expected to appear before the committee again in the next three months to show that he had addressed their concerns.

The government was under pressure to ensure that the appointment of the new BBC chair was conducted independent of political interference after the controversy that dogged the previous incumbent, Richard Sharp, who had been backed by former prime minister Boris Johnson. Questions over the appointment process led to his resignation earlier this year.

The committee’s report said there were no concerns about Shah’s conflicts of interest given his intention to resign and or step away from existing roles. They added that his recognition of the challenge of ensuring that the BBC was relevant to all audiences was also welcome.

A government spokesperson said: “We thank the committee for their report, which confirms the committee’s view that Dr Shah is appointable for the role of BBC chair. We will review the committee’s recommendations in greater detail and respond in due course.”

Shah did not immediately respond to a request for comment.