And BBC’s new politics host is... the daughter of ex-Labour leader!
ONE of the few Right-leaning voices on the BBC is being replaced in a key role – by the daughter of a former Labour leader.
Sarah Smith is to take over Sunday Politics from veteran presenter Andrew Neil. Miss Smith, the BBC’s Scotland editor and daughter of the late John Smith, will host the show when it returns next month.
Critics of the BBC are already concerned it is too Left-leaning. Miss Smith’s family ties will do little to assuage their fears. Her father led the Labour Party from 1992 until his death in 1994. Last night, Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, said the appointment of the 48-year-old raised fears that the BBC will move even further to the Left.
‘Andrew Neil was regarded as one of very few more Right- of- centre political commentators on the BBC payroll and surprise, surprise, we’ve now got the daughter of a Labour leader,’ he said. ‘it would be difficult for the BBC to move further to the Left, but that is the fear that is what is going to happen.’
Her appointment may help the BBC address its gender pay gap. Miss Smith was one of more than 40 female presenters who wrote to director-general Lord Hall demanding immediate steps to ensure women are paid as much as men.
She is expected to appear on the ‘rich list’ of talent next year, meaning she will be paid £150,000 or more.
Mr Neil was being paid up to £250,000. He will continue to host daily Politics and This week.
The BBC claimed he had decided it was the ‘right time to step back’ from the weekend series. Mr Neil, 68, said: ‘i loved presenting Sunday Politics... i will miss it greatly.’