I've mentioned the danger of using Clarke's research before - he gets basic facts wrong and rushes to publish them without fully understanding them then he runs around shouting that he has has found the answer and key to everything.. In this case Patten and the BBC Trust have nothing whatsoever to do with deciding BBC content so Patten cannot be touched. The relevant person is the Director-General of the BBC and the editor-in-Chief. I wish it were different. The BBC has been shit on the NHS for far more banal reasons - shared elite interests and world-view.
That person until recently was/is Mark Thompson:
"The BBC has always had to go into the market for key broadcasting talent. Our licence fee payers want the very best people on the BBC. Were Jonathan to leave the BBC, you would have headlines about that fact and I think our licence fee payers would be disappointed. We know amongst key talent - and we've had recent examples - that other broadcasters are offering key talent large sums." (2006)
"We have a rather brilliant series running of Radio 4 right now presented by Simon Heffer who is not generally considered a Guardianista... We have some of the most politically Incorrect voices in Britain on the air every week – and I’m glad we do. And Jeremy Clarkson will come round looking for you if you disagree!" (2008)
The Telegraph reported in August 2012 (Mark Thompson in line for up to $10.5m at The New York Times) that in his new job Mark Thompson would receive a large pay deal:
"His joining package and first year’s pay could be worth up to $10.5m (£6.7m), according to a filing with the US Secutities and Exchange Commission. The Oxford-educated 55-year old will receive a basic salary of $1m, roughly comparable with his BBC pay, as well as up to $2m in annual incentives and $3m in long-term incentives due to pay out in 2015."
It is impossible for anyone with such ambition and wealth, not to be predisposed to cutting public spending when faced with a crisis in profitability. He is at the head of output, having said that Patten's case is also a conflict of interest. The Trust is riddled with people who are directors of other firms or organisations.
"Patten Chairman
Dr Diane Coyle OBE, Vice Chairman and a director at EDF.
Richard Ayre, head of the Editorial Review Board at Al-Mirbad, pro-occupation Iraqi radio channel set up in Basra after the fall of Saddam
Anthony Fry, British chairman of Espirito Santo Investment Bank, chairman in CALA Group, chairman in Dairy Crest, a director at Control Risks
Rotha Johnston CBE, owner and chief (with her husband) of Variety, an northern Irish food and agricultural firm.
David Liddiment, director of private production company All3Media
Bill Matthews, owner of M2M2, "M2M2 provide non executive and consulting support to clients in the public and private sector, and management and other support" says the website, non-executive director of the Security Industry Authority, public member (unpaid advisor) of the board of Network Rail and ambassador of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (royalist military knees up)
Mehmuda Mian, non-executive director of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) and associate director at Lokahi Foundation charity.
Suzanna Taverne, director at Nationwide Building Society and Ford Credit Europe, trustee of the Consumer Credit Counselling Service and the Shakespeare Schools Festival and sits on the Advisory Board of Manchester Business School"
