MPs query BBC chief ’s role in £3m for charity

The role of Alan Yentob, BBC creative director, in securing £3 million of public money for failed charity Kids Company will be examined as MPs ask senior civil servants why warnings over funding were overruled.

The Commons public accounts committee is expected to ask if Mr Yentob, ex-chairman of Kids Company, influenced the decision or if it was affected by the high profile of Camila Batmanghelidjh, its colourful founder.

Richard Heaton, former permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office, will appear before MPs on Monday. He told ministers in June the requested £3 million “does not represent value for money” but it was still approved.