BBC AND THE GOVERNMENT

Early day motion 513, tabled 30 January 2004 by Brian Sedgemore (Labour). Signed by 13 members.

That this House is deeply saddened that a Labour Government has brought the BBC, one of the greatest broadcasting organisations in the world, to its knees on the basis of a report from a retiring judge; believes that the independence and integrity of investigative journalism and news broadcasting by the BBC is now inevitably threatened; does not believe that one mistake by a reporter warranted the ballistic response of Government Ministers, spin doctors and civil servants; and calls on the new Chairman and Director General of the BBC to live up to the high standards set by Mr Gavyn Davies and Mr Greg Dyke.

Signatures by party: Labour 9, Liberal Democrat 3, Scottish National Party 1.