The appointment of a former Birmingham City Council chief executive to the post of BBC chairman has been slammed by the House of Lords.
The House of Lords all party select committee concluded that government ministers had too much influence over the recruitment process, which saw the former Labour councillor Sir Michael Lyons land the top job.
A report published last week says: ‘Ministers appointed the selection panel, ministers were allowed to change the shortlist of candidates and ultimately ministers were able to choose between four candidates who passed the interview process.’
A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, who put the selection panel together, said the appointment was made on merit after a ‘fair, open and transparent process’.
Sir Michael has pledged ‘absolute independence and impartiality’.
The House of Lords all party select committee concluded that government ministers had too much influence over the recruitment process, which saw the former Labour councillor Sir Michael Lyons land the top job.
A report published last week says: ‘Ministers appointed the selection panel, ministers were allowed to change the shortlist of candidates and ultimately ministers were able to choose between four candidates who passed the interview process.’
A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, who put the selection panel together, said the appointment was made on merit after a ‘fair, open and transparent process’.
Sir Michael has pledged ‘absolute independence and impartiality’.
