LibDems call for democratic scrutiny of BBC accounts

The BBC has disclosed that it paid £229m to performers. Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster reacted: 

“These are eye-watering figures. Licence fee payers have a right to know if they represent good value for money. 

“We need a public body to look at the BBC’s full accounts to see if the public interest is being best served. Scrutiny of this kind is a job for the National Audit Office, not commercial accountants. 

“While we all want to know how much stars are being paid, public disclosure is likely to be ruled illegal. It could also lead to a bidding war, pushing salaries and hence BBC costs up, not down.”