The BBC is planning to overhaul its editorial guidelines committee and create a new deputy director general role, following a row over alleged liberal bias that led to the resignations of director general Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness.
The planned changes to the editorial guidelines and standards committee (EGSC) would expand its membership, diluting the influence of Robbie Gibb, a Conservative-appointed board member who has been accused of trying to sway the BBC's political impartiality. Gibb, a former Downing Street communications chief under Theresa May, was one of just four full committee members at its last two declared meetings.
The crisis was triggered by a leaked memo from Michael Prescott, a former independent external adviser to the EGSC, which accused the BBC of bias on issues including Donald Trump, Gaza and trans rights. Prescott left his advisory role in the summer. The BBC has apologised over a Panorama edit of a Trump speech but disputed other claims.
Board member Shumeet Banerji resigned on Friday, citing governance issues and saying he was not consulted over events leading to Davie and Turness's departures. Key figures including Prescott, Gibb and chair Samir Shah are due to appear before MPs on Monday.
Shah is understood to believe the challenges of running the BBC are now so great that whoever succeeds Davie needs a deputy. While Davie was editor in chief, he lacked significant editorial experience. The BBC has defended Gibb as one voice on a board of more than a dozen people.
