MP demands BBC apology

October 22, 2007

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AN MP has demanded an apology from David Dimbleby over remarks the Question Time presenter made about the BBC's move to Salford.

Graham Stringer has lodged a formal complaint after Mr Dimbleby said shifting five departments and 1,500 staff to a purpose-built site in the Quays would be `expensive'.

Mr Stringer, the MP for Blackley, has sent a letter to Question Time producer Jenny Parks claiming the comments were `biased'.

"I would request that Mr Dimbleby apologises and gives a statement as to the real financial facts supporting the move to Salford," he wrote.

"In what I recognise is a difficult time for the BBC, it is incumbent upon you to ensure impartiality - particularly from the chairman of such a prestigious current affairs programme as Question Time." Mr Dimbleby, who has presented Question Time since 1994, made the comments during a show broadcast last Thursday.

Budget pressures

Peter Hain, the work and pensions secretary, had just told the audience that the move to the MediaCity:UK site in Salford remained `a good thing', despite news that up to 1,800 BBC staff faced redundancy due to budget pressures.

"I don't think everything should be concentrated in London," said Mr Hain.

"There should be decentralisation of resources and programme making."

Mr Dimbleby responded: "But that's expensive... moving to Manchester is expensive."

The switch to Salford, which will start in 2011, is expected to cost up to £400m in the short-term. But BBC director general Mark Thompson has said he expects it to `actually save the BBC money in the long run'.

The MediaCity:UK site will host not just the BBC, but a range of connected research and production facilities.

In all, it is expected to create jobs for 15,000 people and contribute £200m a year to the region's economy.

The BBC declined to comment on the row. It is understood executives are relaxed about Mr Stringer's complaint and will argue that Mr Dimbleby's job as Question Time chairman involves putting contrary views to politicians.

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David,North M/C (22/10/2007 at 11:10)

Yes Graham,how dare David Dimbleby voice his opinion and use his right to freedom of speech,this governing party that you belong to doesnt take kindly to opinions that others have if they dont agree with.

Mark, South Manchester (22/10/2007 at 11:12)

Yes I saw that and David Dimbleby did "deliberately single out" the move to Manchester - when discussing the job losses at BBC London.
Not Jonathan Ross's nor Graham Norton's wages nor inherent BBC inefficiencies - but "the move to Manchester"!

So well done to Graham Stringer again. Whether it be London bias, the supercasino decision etc - it often seems Mr Stringer is our only MP that dare speak up for Manchester in London!! Maybe it's because too many of our other MPs don't come from the area - and living in London, have no great intrinsic passion for our city region??

Joey, Ashton under Lyne, (22/10/2007 at 11:29)

David wrote: "Yes Graham,how dare David Dimbleby voice his opinion and use his right to freedom of speech"

Possibly because being the front man he should be impartial. The move will be expensive - no doubt about it. With the bribe of relocation allowences that mere mortals could only dream of. With first class travel and five star hotels for those that just pop in for a few minutes.

David,North M/C (22/10/2007 at 12:46)

Joey,I support the BBCs move to Salford,I am also supporting DDs right to voice his opinion,something that I do not have on this website when relating to other topics.

Octavius Tinsworth Ace (22/10/2007 at 13:47)

Much as David Dimbleby's comments may have been short-sighted (considering merely the financial impact of the move itself), they were at least rational and reasonably unbiased, which is more than can be said for the majority of Londoners' opinions when asked their views on the BBC relocating some of their departments in the Manchester area (cue all sorts of nonsense about northerners "nicking their jobs" and how we'll all taint their lovely, eloquent estuary accents with our horrible uncouth northern dialect).

However, in this instance I'd also agree that on this particular programme, like the Speaker in the House of Commons, Dimbleby is supposed to be an adjudicator and therefore not really entitled to voice any sort of personal opinion.

ace, manchester (22/10/2007 at 15:39)

This isnt about giving us jobs its about the BBC making job cuts and saving money by moving to the northwest. in the long term they will save millions and the property and labour markets are better in the northwest (cheaper) So dont kid yourselves they are doing us any favours (they are not)

ebble (22/10/2007 at 16:55)

It's an open secret that most BBC staff regard a move to Salford as a fate worse than death, and most of them will not be coming North. The move will cost millions and the chances are that most of the glamour bits of the departments moved to Salford will still be done in London. This whole move will end up costing us more, not less. The only way to make the BBC value the money it is given is to make it go subscription on the new digital platform. If the Manchester area really is booming then a few public sector jobs in Salford Quays should not matter too much.

Beaufort (22/10/2007 at 17:40)

Just think very carefully about this.

Then you will see.

Kurt Stephens, Sale (22/10/2007 at 18:59)

Ace - is the glass always half empty in your world?

The BBC did not have to come to (Greater) Manchester, there are plenty of other (cheaper) cities in the North that they could have chosen to go to.

How about, just for once, you give some credit to those who have done so much good over the last 20years to make Manchester the city it is today, one that competes,and regularly beats those other Northern cities to attract both public and private investment in vast quantities.

Mark,Radcliffe. (22/10/2007 at 20:08)

Mr Stringer,honestly can you think why someone would want to move up North?...we have the second worst Police in the Country...How can they protect the influx when they cant protect their own ?..Please direct your vociferousness towards those within our strata,who simply are not doing anything to "serve and protect us".

ace, manchester (23/10/2007 at 16:26)

What really makes me laugh we used to have a thriving film and media industry a long time ago the "top of the pops"BBC included but manchester wasnt hip enough so they moved most of their high paid jobs to london and birmingham.just like ITV/GRANADA did with "This morning" The excuse they used was" The stars and the celebs wont come to the northwest so they relocated to the south.Why all of a sudden are these companies interested in comming to the northwest could it be european grants or massive loans to bale them out?? all i know is somewhere somebody is making money out of the move and it wont be the workers in manchester.Look at whats happening behind the scenes.

Steven (23/10/2007 at 20:42)

Is this the same Graham Stringer that once said "I love buying expensive cars, the more expensive the better!" A case of double standards I think!

John, Salford (24/10/2007 at 13:08)

Simple solution to this is let the people decide. Put the BBC channels on a subscription service so those who want it pay for it. If the BBC is so good after all this would be an even cheaper move!

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