Overview

• At the Edinburgh TV Festival, the former BBC News director urged a more independent, "People’s Platform" BBC and rejected claims it is "institutionally antisemitic."
• He proposed ending prime ministerial control over appointments so the BBC board selects the chair, subject to Ofcom approval.
• He called for an open-ended charter and an independent commission to advise on funding, noting about 2.5 million households have stopped paying the licence fee over five years.
• Citing the Bob Vylan Glastonbury row and pressure from Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, he said political involvement in BBC hirings and firings is "chilling."
• He warned the corporation’s survival could be at risk if Reform or Nigel Farage enter government and urged greater openness to independent producers and AI licensing deals.