Humphrys faces probe over Labour ‘tirade’
The BBC is to launch an investigation into the conduct of John Humphrys, lead presenter on Radio 4’s flagship Today programme.
In an after-dinner speech to the Communication Directors’ Forum
on June 8th, John Humphrys reportedly lampooned Labour politicians Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and John Prescott and implied cabinet ministers were liars.
More controversially, Mr Humphrys suggested former BBC reporter Andrew Gilligan was right about Downing Street “sexing up” a key Iraq intelligence report.
Now BBC chairman Michael Grade has launched a probe led by director general Mark Thompson into the veteran journalist’s comments.
The BBC was forced to apologise to the Government for the allegations after Lord Hutton’s report exonerated the Blair administration over the suicide of Dr David Kelly.
Both former director general Greg Dyke and chairman Gavyn Davies resigned in the report’s aftermath.
Mr Humphrys has since downplayed the significance of his comments, telling the Observer his speech was a “good humoured, light-hearted” address.
“I don’t think that all politicians are liars,” he added.
He said the claims made in the Times newspaper “grossly misrepresented” what he said.
