[Brekkie]

Andrew Neil was a poltical journalist. And I am pretty sure if a presenter came out calling for people to sign a goverement partition it would be wrong in the same way today.

So are you stating clearly, that if a presenter of the BBC came out today in favour of views you strongly disagree with you’d be fine with that? Even if I agreeded with the view I would not be, because you are always going to turn half the country against the BBC.

This is about applying the same rules to all. Nobody said their views do not matter, just that they are no more qualtified to comment than you or me, so how does that help the situation other than bringing the BBC into the matter? I think people care because they are paying for him, even if it's 1p. And it is not possible to not pay for him due to the law. That is why is so crutial in regards to the BBC. It is paid for by everyone, so you cannot take a side or you destory it.

Andrew Neil had strong links to The Spectator during much of his time at the BBC. Funnily enough that was never deemed a problem despite the publications deemed political leanings, but get the impression as well as the pro/anti-government bias when it comes to criticising the BBC I think there is a new media/old media jealousy issue from the press too. I suspect if Gary Lineker was writing these thoughts in a newspaper column even those that didn't agree would be crying about freedom of the press.