‘Wimpish’ music chiefs blasted over Watson role
THE row over Tom Watson’s appointment to a top music industry job intensified yesterday as Wombles songwriter Mike Batt slammed the ‘wimpish’ response to calls for an inquiry.
Influential industry insiders want more transparency about how the former Labour deputy leader was given the £60,000-ayear role at UK Music.
Musicians including 10cc star Graham Gouldman question his suitability, while 12 world-famous singers and songwriters want an inquiry. In a letter to the PRS For Music – the performing rights society that collects royalties for 140,000 compossupport ers, songwriters and publishers and is one of UK Music’s top member bodies – they argued there was every chance that the new role for Mr Watson, 53, ‘might bring the UK music industry into disrepute’.
Critics have questioned his credentials and his judgment after his role in the VIP child sex abuse inquiry sparked by the serial liar ‘Nick’, real name Carl Beech, whom he met and supported.
In a response on the PRS website, chief executive Andrea Martin defended the appointment, saying he was ‘well connected, has crossbench support and has been a strong advocate for the rights that our business’. She said UK Music was a separate firm and PRS could not ‘comment on decisions agreed by UK Music Board’.
She also wrote a separate letter to Mr Batt, 70, a former PRS board member and former deputy chairman of the UK record industry trade group BPI, whose many hits include the 1979 No1 single Bright Eyes, inviting him and other critics to contact Mr Watson so he can personally answer their questions.
Now, in a withering reply to Miss Martin, Mr Batt said her response to calls for an inquiry was ‘patronising’ adding: ‘You even have the cheek to suggest we talk face to face with the very person about whom we are complaining, to ask him... about his suitability!
‘Some people (including you) seem to have become blind to the rising tide of anger... about Watson’s history and reputation. It seems there is now a Tom Watson fan club and that you are part of it.’
Last night, songwriter and ex-PRS board member Mitch Murray, whose hits include How Do You Do It? for Gerry And The Pacemakers and Bonnie And Clyde for Georgie Fame, called the PRS’s position on Mr Watson ‘indefensible’.