The House: Plea to BBC

IT WAS "critical" that Sir John Birt's successor as director-general "inspires and retains the confidence of BBC staff in the wisdom of his policies, whatever they may be", said Lord Hussey of North Bradley, a former BBC chairman.

His comments follow William Hague's letter to BBC governors, saying it would be "totally unacceptable" for Tories if Greg Dyke, the chairman of Pearson Television, was appointed because of his pounds 50,000 donation to Labour.