Purnell to the BBC on £295k

[anotherbob]

What is Auntie thinking of employing a character like James Purnell?
He hired ATOS while Minister for Work and Pensions and we know what a success they have been (It seems he was educated mainly in France, so maybe he made some early contacts?)
He was tainted in the MPs' expenses scandal, and then blew his parliamentary career by writing to Gordon Brown telling him to step down.
It's depressing to find that a chancer like him can be appointed to an important job by the BBC at £295 p.a.

[DracoM]

In what capacity?

[mercia]

director, Strategy and Digital

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21455396

at this level in society it's just a game of musical chairs, as far as I can see

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

it is all in the Graun

[scottycelt]

What is Auntie thinking of employing a character like James Purnell?
He hired ATOS while Minister for Work and Pensions and we know what a success they have been (It seems he was educated mainly in France, so maybe he made some early contacts?)
He was tainted in the MPs' expenses scandal, and then blew his parliamentary career by writing to Gordon Brown telling him to step down.
It's depressing to find that a chancer like him can be appointed to an important job by the BBC at £295 p.a.

His name has always stuck with me because of this little episode ...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2007/sep/29/pressandpublishing.media

[french frank]

For a moment I thought he was to be the new Director of Audio and Music, but this is to be former Controller R4, Helen Boaden, reverting to the title of Director of Radio. Boaden in a similar mould as Jenny Abramsky, I imagine. Recreations: walking, food, travel. No obvious arts interests, then.

[teamsaint]

Its great to see all these people returning to their first loves.

Really heartwarming.

[handsomefortune]

from guardian comments

Still, with "Labour" and the Tories now so identical, at least there won't be any bias. Except against the public.

sad but it rings true.

[teamsaint]

from guardian comments

Still, with "Labour" and the Tories now so identical, at least there won't be any bias. Except against the public.

sad but it rings true.

never a truer word. Great quote.

Who decides what is the news?

[handsomefortune]

news items are selected from a fortnum and masons hamper?

[teamsaint]

news items are selected from a fortnum and masons hamper?

provided helpfully by a junior minister or their gofer.

[mangerton]

never a truer word. Great quote.

Who decides what is the news?

Goodness knows, but the first 15 mins of PM tonight were devoted to Pistorius, of whom I'd never heard until today. "Man suspected of shooting woman in flat".

[teamsaint]

Goodness knows, but the first 15 mins of PM tonight were devoted to Pistorius, of whom I'd never heard until today. "Man suspected of shooting woman in flat".

Meanwhile in Syria/Mali/a hundred other places/the failing economies of the west/ etc etc etc...

[scottycelt]

Goodness knows, but the first 15 mins of PM tonight were devoted to Pistorius, of whom I'd never heard until today. "Man suspected of shooting woman in flat".

The Newsreader on BBC24 has just confided that this was the main subject of conversation today amongst her BBC colleagues so maybe that's the reason, mangerton ... ?

Everyone was 'shocked' she declared.

The staff at the BBC obviously believes it's own hype about these sporting celebrities as if they all lead wonderfully admirable and wholly fulfilled lives, unlike the rest of humanity.

[aeolium]

It could be the unwritten law that says that there has to be some story connected to the Olympics on every major BBC news bulletin. It'd be nice to have a day without the Olympics being mentioned, but by the time all the discussions about retrospectives and legacies have finished, the next Games will be upon us....