Labour tells critics to back off from 'Auntie': Lisa Nandy defends the BBC amid Donald Trump row by lavishing praise on broadcaster as a 'light on the hill' for people around the world
A senior Labour minister tonight launched a fierce defence of the BBC despite the crisis engulfing the broadcaster.
In a statement to the House of Commons, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy heaped praise on 'Auntie' as it reels from the dramatic resignations of senior bosses.
She hailed the broadcaster as a 'light on the hill for people here and across the world' and dismissed claims it is institutionally bias.
Ms Nandy addressed MPs in the wake of Tim Davie quitting as BBC director general and Deborah Turness standing down as the broadcaster's head of news.
Their exits came amid a furious row over the way in which a speech by Donald Trump was edited in an episode of Panorama.
The US President has since threatened to sue the BBC for $1billion and branded the broadcaster '100 per cent fake news'.
Ms Nandy told the Commons on Tuesday that the BBC must 'renew its mission for the modern age' as it fights to restore trust.
But she warned those MPs attacking the broadcaster to 'consider just what is at stake'.
In a statement to the House of Commons, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy heaped praise on 'Auntie' as it reels from the dramatic resignations of senior bosses
Ms Nandy addressed MPs in the wake of Tim Davie quitting as BBC director general and Deborah Turness standing down as the broadcaster's head of news
'There is a fundamental difference between raising serious concerns over editorial failings and members of this House launching a sustained attack on the institution itself,' the Culture Secretary said.
'Because the BBC is not just a broadcaster, it is a national institution that belongs to us all.'
The BBC's charter expires at the end of 2027 and the process of reviewing it is now set to begin with the organisation at the centre of a storm.
Ms Nandy said the charter review process will begin imminently, telling MPs: 'Together, we will ensure the BBC is sustainably funded, commands the public's trust and continues to drive growth, good jobs, skills and creativity across every region and nation of the UK.
'In an era in which trust is fraying and truth is contested across our nation, it will ensure the BBC remains fiercely independent and is genuinely accountable to the public it serves.'
Ms Nandy said a public consultation would begin 'shortly'.
Tory shadow culture secretary Nigel Huddleston called for the BBC to apologise to Mr Trump for the editing of his speech featured in a Panorama documentary.
He also demanded a 'root-and-branch review' of the corporation's adherence to impartiality.
Mr Huddleston said: 'The BBC is in a sorry mess and, sadly, one of its own making that has resulted in the resignations of the director-general and the CEO of news.
'These recent leadership changes are a response to the growing number of examples of bias in the BBC, one of which has resulted in a potential one billion dollar lawsuit.
'Too many examples have come to light exposing bias at the BBC, particularly as it relates to the news and current affairs output, examples that have often strayed far away from the BBC's own editorial guidelines.'
Ms Nandy agreed that leadership changes at the BBC will not fix all the problems faced by the corporation.
She told Mr Huddleston: 'I do strongly agree with him that two resignations are not the answer to the challenges that the BBC has faced, not just over the last week, but in recent months.
'I've come to this House too many times to share with the House progress updates on editorial failings.
'I'm pleased that the chairman of the BBC, Dr Samir Shah, has accepted where the institution has made mistakes.
'I'm pleased that he's been open with the chair of the Select Committee about that and I'm pleased that he is setting out concrete actions that follow.'
Ms Nandy said that these actions must be swift, robust and transparent.
The Culture Secretary acknowledged 'serious concerns and failings' on the part of the BBC Arabic Service.
But she added: 'The World Service is a light on the hill for people in places of darkness and there are many in this in the world at the moment, and this Government strongly supports the World Service and will continue to do so.'
