British Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has defended speaking directly to the BBC’s director-general about the allegations against presenter Huw Edwards, saying it was a “very serious issue” that required government involvement. The allegations surfaced in July, claiming that Edwards had paid a teenager for sexually explicit images. Frazer called the corporation’s director-general, Tim Davie, in July after reports emerged, and was questioned about her intervention during a House of Lords’ Communications and Digital Committee meeting on Wednesday.
The committee chairwoman, Baroness Stowell, noted that the Government needed to remain “very mindful” about any actions that could call into question the BBC’s role as a public service broadcaster. Stowell questioned Frazer if it would have been more appropriate to have contacted the acting BBC chairwoman, Dame Elan Closs Stephens, instead of speaking directly to Davie. Frazer replied that she had spoken to both the chairman and the director-general about the issue and had been updated by both on the subject.
Frazer emphasized the importance of her having a constructive relationship with both the chair and the director-general, and stated that the chair would provide her with updates on how the board is holding the executive to account inrelation to the issue. She also indicated that she had discussed the matter with both Davie and Stephens, and that she prioritized maintaining strong working relationships with both the chair and the director-general.
British Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer (Via British Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer/Twitter)
The controversy surrounding the BBC’s handling of the initial complaints against Edwards has been criticized, with the corporation being accused of dragging its feet in addressing the situation. The BBC has since commissioned two pieces of work to review its protocols and procedures, including an examination of whether the “red flagging” of non-editorial complaints can adequately identify matters that require referral within the organization. These reviews will be led by group chief operating officer Leigh Tavaziva and will be overseen by the board’s senior independent director, Sir Nicholas Serota.
In response to questions about her intervention, Frazer reiterated that the issue was “very serious” and required government involvement. She stated that she had spoken to both the chairman and the director-general about the issue and had been updated by both on the subject, and emphasized the importance of her having a constructive relationship with both the chair and the director-general on a range of issues.
