Labour is calling for the resignation of a BBC board member with close links to Downing Street after he was accused of trying to block an appointment on political grounds. According to the corporation’s website, one of Gibb’s responsibilities as a non-executive director on the BBC board involves “upholding and protecting the independence of the BBC”. The deputy Labour leader, Angela Rayner, led calls for Gibb’s resignation, saying he should be sacked if he refused to step down. Rayner wrote: “This is Tory cronyism at the heart of the BBC, with Robbie Gibb in post to influence the BBC and further the interests of the government and Conservative party. She tweeted: “If Robbie Gibb is in post to further Tory interests, then he’s in the wrong job.

Source: The Guardian July 10, 2021 11:36 UTC