Culture vulture

MICHELLE DONELAN, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, has over-ruled her predecessor Nadine Dorries and decided not to privatise Channel 4.

She’s the 11th Culture Secretary in 12 years and has a huge remit from high-tech firms to publishing, orchestras and opera companies, museums and art galleries, broadcasters and even Eurovision. She’s right the media is increasingly complex and multi-dimensional.

Ms Donelan wants to give Channel 4 more commercial freedom so it can survive and thrive. It has a distinct and individualistic reputation that arts fans wish to retain. Fellow politicians may not be as keen.

Professor KIT THOMPSON, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warks.