The BBC is engulfed in a new row over its political impartiality after its newest board member was accused of being a Labour ‘stooge’.
Critics have slammed the appointment of Trainline chief executive Jody Ford as ‘exposing the BBC’s secret Left-wing agenda’ after it emerged he hosted a rally backing Labour’s transport policies in the run-up to the General Election.
The broadcaster insists on its politically neutral stance, claiming ‘impartiality is fundamental to the BBC’s purpose and is enshrined in the BBC’s charter’.
But critics say Mr Ford’s close ties to the Labour party undermines these claims.
A Tory source said the BBC board seat is ‘nothing more than a grubby deal to reward a Labour crony for his unwavering support for this ailing government.’
And Conservative culture spokesman Nigel Huddleston added: ‘Once again there are serious questions to be answered about the Government appearing to promote a left-wing agenda at the BBC.’
Labour has previously criticised previous appointments over links to the Tory party – and was last night accused of hypocrisy.
Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, previously said she has a ‘real concern’ about political appointees to the BBC and that the perception of political influence is ‘a problem’ for the broadcaster.
Angela Rayner in 2021 wrote a scathing letter to the Director General and Chair of the BBC about the ‘gross abuse of power’ of what she saw as a political appointee – Sir Robbie Gibb, a former Conservative aide.
Louise Haigh shakes hands with Trainline CEO Jody Ford, as she attends a press conference to announce the Labour Party’s transport campaign plan in April 2024
Mr Ford helped launch Labour’s plans to ‘fix Britain’s railways and put passengers first’
She asked whether ‘the BBC was required to declare and register his ongoing connections to the Conservative Party’ and ‘what steps you are taking to ensure this kind of cronyism isn’t allowed to infect the BBC any further, and what is being done to ensure a similar mistake is not made in the future’.
In opposition, Labour pledged to strengthen the BBC’s independence by ‘insulating the broadcaster from political pressure’.
But Labour has raised no similar objections over this appointment.
A furious Huddleston added: ‘Labour’s radio silence now it’s a Labour stooge in the crosshairs reeks of hypocrisy.’
The anger centres on a string of alleged overtly political acts.
At Mr Ford’s rally in the run-up to the election inside the Trainline headquarters, where he was CEO, he was ‘pleased to welcome’ Louise Haigh, Labour’s then-Shadow Transport Secretary.
He helped launch Labour’s plans to ‘fix Britain’s railways and put passengers first’.
In it, he hailed the ‘environmentally sustainable rail’ which echoed Labour’s slogans.
At the event, he was snapped relaxing and laughing with Ms Haigh.
After Labour’s successful election campaign, he has since given interviews praising government policies and posed in front of Number 10.
With Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street, he has been to multiple events in Downing Street, including Sir Keir’s summer business reception in the garden of Number 10.
As well as being a special guest at Sir Keir’s speeches as Prime Minister, he has also partnered with Tony Blair’s son in a drive for diversity at Trainline.
He jointly penned a press release with Euan Blair entitled ‘Trainline creates tech apprenticeships for diverse young talent’.
His appointment follows Caroline Thomson, who joined the BBC board in October last year.
She is the daughter of Labour peer George Thomson, Baron Thomson of Monifieth, and is married to former Labour Special Adviser Lord Roger Liddle.
The BBC and Labour Party were approached for comment.