Former BBC boss leads calls for end to political appointments to board

Tim Davie's predecessor as BBC director general is leading calls to end political appointments to the broadcaster's governing board, after concerns were raised about the influence of Sir Robbie Gibb.

- Michael Savage Media editor

Naga Munchetty is a presenter on BBC Breakfast and Radio 5 Live

After the corporation was plunged into crisis following Davie's shock resignation last weekend, Tony Hall called for the BBC's independence to be protected. He said political involvement needed to be removed from appointing the corporation's board members and its chair.

MPs, staff members and the main BBC union have all called for Gibb, Theresa May's former director of communications, who has previously described himself as a "proper Thatcherite Conservative", to be removed from the board.

It follows claims he has used his place on the BBC board and the editorial standards body to pressure the corporation from within over alleged liberal bias. Gibb was first placed on the board by Boris Johnson's administration.

Other BBC sources have disputed claims that Gibb has disproportionate influence, saying he is one of more than a dozen voices in board meetings.

Lord Hall said the upcoming talks over renewing the BBC's charter were "a fantastic opportunity for [the culture secretary] Lisa Nandy... to make some reforms that remove as much politics as you can from the BBC".