[DTV]

Look I think we are kind of going around in circles here. I believe the BBC should introduce a far stricter policy on all staff, and that GL should leave the corporation. Going forward any presenter/staff member who airs their personal opinion, in public should be subject to said policy. Any other staff who choose to take unofficial strike action should be subject to policy and face disciplinary. Through such actions this will ensure the BBC is truly impartial and open to all licences fee payers. But I don’t think it will happen. We have to be smart about this, this is not student politics. Get real.

Fine, you can think that. But something that broad is an absurd and likely unenforceable policy. Under your rules, Alex Scott saying there should be better access to football for girls in school is a sackable offence (viewpoint, criticism of govt policy), an LGBT presenter attending a Pride march would face disciplinary action (attending what is arguably a political demonstration), Jeremy Vine is blacklisted because of his cycling safety advocacy (personal opinion and activism). And you can't do a 'within your area' loophole, because then Chris Mason can start having opinions about politics or Hugh Pym can broadcast his views on health policy. Or is News different after all?

An actual 'whiter than white, no opinions of any kind' rule would leave the BBC filled solely with the beigest possible individuals, presiding over the most anodyne programming. I don't the BBC would be better for that.