BBC attempts to block Ofcom inquiry into Munchetty row

THE BBC tried to stop an Ofcom investigation into the Naga Munchetty dispute, it has emerged.

The media watchdog said it was troubled by the corporation’s response and expressed “serious concerns around the transparency of the BBC’S complaints process”.

Ofcom wrote to the BBC’S executive complaints unit (ECU) asking for more details about the process that initially found Ms Munchetty guilty of breaching editorial guidelines with her comments about racism and Donald Trump. The decision was overturned by the director-general, Lord Hall of Birkenhead, following an outcry by BBC staff.

David Jordan, the BBC’S head of editorial standards, replied to say Ofcom had “no clear jurisdiction” to undertake an investigation.

Yesterday Ofcom took the unusual step of publishing the correspondence to highlight what it said was the BBC’S unwillingness to share information.

Ofcom continued with its inquiry, “given the significant public concern”, and in a ruling yesterday said that Ms Munchetty had been “duly impartial”.

It said: “Ofcom considers that some of the public concern about this case has been due to the lack of transparency around the BBC complaints process and the reasons for the decisions that it reaches. We will be addressing the BBC’S lack of transparency as a matter of urgency.”

A BBC spokesman said: “We note Ofcom’s finding and the fact they agree with the director-general’s decision.”