The BBC has been engulfed in yet another scandal as the Tories have backed calls for a review into the relationship between the broadcaster and Plaid Cymru separatists.
Links between the two have come under scrutiny in recent days, following allegations of political bias against the corporation.
BBC Wales appointed former Plaid Chief Executive Rhuanedd Richards as its Director of Programming in 2021, an editorial role.
The separatists’ leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, is also a former BBC Wales newsreader.
South Wales Central Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies said: “BBC Wales’ decision to appoint Plaid Cymru separatists’ former chief executive as its Director obviously raises questions.
“This is a senior editorial role – it would be the equivalent of appointing Alistair Campbell as Director General.
“We need a review into the relationship between BBC Wales and Plaid Cymru separatists, and I’m happy to support such calls.”
Mr Davies’s comments come just days after Reform UK spokesman, Cai Parry-Jones, also called for a review into the relationship between the two organisations.
South Wales Central Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies has backed calls for a review into the relationship between BBC Wales and Plaid Cymru separatists
|
PA
Mr Parry-Jones told Newyddion S4C that Plaid’s leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, had been “chief political correspondent for BBC Wales for five years”.
Meanwhile, Plaid’s director of political strategy, Aled ap Dafydd, had “been in a prominent role with the BBC and S4C’s Newyddion”.
“I’m not saying this proves there is an institutional bias within BBC Wales for Plaid Cymru and against Reform UK, but… we need a review into this.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also weighed in on the controversy, posting a video on his social media account.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage took to social media to discuss the relationship between BBC Wales and Plaid Cymru
|
X
“Rhuanedd Richards was the chief executive of Plaid. She worked during the Labour-Plaid coalition for the government of Wales,” Mr Farage said.
“She’s now a director of BBC Wales, on just over £190,000 a year.
“There is living proof that, right the way through to the top, the BBC is infected with left-wing bias.”
Director General Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness resigned from their roles last week amid rising scrutiny over an edit of a Donald Trump speech on a Panorama programme.
The corporation has also faced criticism for its documentary “Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone”.
The programme was pulled from their online player after the narrator’s family connections to Hamas were revealed.
Mr Davie apologised at the time, saying the report “identifies a significant failing in relation to accuracy”.
