BBC slammed over lack of impartiality as minister accuses broadcaster of allowing ‘culture’ of bias to fester

The BBC has been slammed for its lack of impartiality after a minister accused the broadcaster of allowing a “culture” of bias to fester in the corporation.

Last month, the BBC chairman Richard Sharp said the corporation “does have a liberal bias” but that “the institution is fighting against it”.

He said the BBC has been too London-centric and that Brexit had come as a “big surprise to the BBC”.

And in January, it was accused of giving Shamima Begum a platform in her bid to restore her UK citizenship.

The second series of the podcast ‘I’m Not a Monster’ explores the story of the 23-year-old, who left the UK to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Now, the culture secretary has slammed The BBC for its lack of impartiality.

Michelle Donelan said: “There is a problem with impartiality and the BBC, they would say that they’ve recognised that themselves.”

“There’s been a few things that Gary Lineker has said over the years.

“And as a commentator on a public service broadcaster, you just have to be conscious of the comments that he makes.

“I’m thinking their most recent one was when he was over in Qatar, and he did an interview… and he referenced America and there were some very derogatory questionable comments.”

Pushed on whether the comments were biased she told The News Agents podcast: ““The general point wasn’t about this is one individual, this is the problem for the BBC, the problem of the BBC is Gary Lineker.

“That’s not the problem.

“What I was doing was using a range of examples to show that is highlighting a culture, which allows that kind of behaviour and accepts it. Which is what they need to deal with.”

In November, the BBC ruled that “several remarks and reactions” made by presenter Martine Croxall during an episode of The Papers caused a “significant risk” that the audience could believe “opinions were being expressed” on the Conservative leadership contest.