Internal BBC review clears broadcaster over rehiring of Martin Bashir
A hasty internal investigation carried out by the BBC has cleared the broadcaster over the rehiring of reporter Martin Bashir in 2016, but highlighted “shortcomings” in the process.
An inquiry into Bashir’s appointment as religious affairs correspondent found there was no evidence he was hired to cover events surrounding his notorious 1995 interview with Princess Diana.
The probe came after the publication of the damning Dyson report, which found Bashir had used “deceitful” methods to secure the interview.
It also blasted the corporation’s handling of the incident and described its own investigation into the matter as “woefully ineffective”.
But in his findings published today Ken MacQuarrie, a former BBC journalist who carried out the review, said the theory Bashir had been rehired in 2016 as a cover-up was “entirely unfounded”.
“None of the individuals involved in the recruitment of Martin Bashir had knowledge of all of the matters contained in the Dyson Report,” he said.
“I have no doubt that if any of the individuals involved in the appointment of Martin Bashir in 2016 had been aware of what is now publicly known as a result of the Dyson Report, Martin Bashir would have never been reappointed to the BBC.”
However, he highlighted “some shortcomings in the process by which he was re-employed”, including the fact that executives failed to pay enough attention to previous controversies relating to Bashir.
Julian Knight, chair of the culture select committee, said he was “deeply concerned” by the findings of the report.
“That the BBC considered rehiring Martin Bashir when there were high level doubts over his integrity stretches incredulity to breaking point,” he said.
Bashir left the BBC in 1998 when he went to join ITV. He then rejoined in September 2016 as religious affairs correspondent and was later promoted to religion editor. He stepped down from that role in May citing health reasons.
The BBC said it would look to introduce more rigorous pre-appointment checks, including checking social media and other online material, for future high-profile appointments.
The findings come a day before former director generals Lord Hall and Lord Birt, as well as current boss Tim Davie and chairman Richard Sharp, are set to appear in front of MPs to answer questions over the scandal.