BBC staff in revolt over trans network that ‘polices’ content

TIM DAVIE, the BBC director-general, is facing a revolt as he is accused of letting the transgender Pride network “police” the BBC.

Some employees have told Mr Davie to “shut down” the networks after one group’s co-chairman complained he wanted more influence over stories.

Insiders have accused Mr Davie of “incredible naivety” for giving power to the BBC Pride and BBC Studios Pride networks. The Daily Telegraph understands that staff have raised concerns directly to his office.

The latest trans row at the broadcaster began with a testy exchange between Nathan Wren, co-chair of BBC Studios Pride, and Malcolm Clark, a science producer, at the World Congress of Science & Factual Producers last month.

Mr Clark claims he complained that the group “policed” BBC output and stifled debate, prompting Mr Wren to reply: “We only intervene, when, say, a trans subject is being covered and then we’ll press to ensure trans voices are being heard.”

Mr Clark said when he pointed out that even unions would not wish to have such editorial influence, Mr Wren replied: “We often ask for changes and they don’t happen.” Some staff are calling for a crackdown on the groups, saying they are “homophobic” for promoting self-identified genders, thus undermining same-sex attracted people.

“Many staff are fed up with the way BBC Pride’s influence undermines the BBC’S reputation for impartiality,” one insider told The Telegraph. “Tim Davie needs to shut it down now before its influence undermines the BBC further.”

The influence of the networks has been partly blamed on the BBC’S ties with Stonewall, the contentious LGBT charity. In a 2018 report on LGBT culture and progression, the BBC praised Stonewall while recommending that BBC Pride be “strengthened”.

In June 2021, leaked minutes of BBC Pride’s board showed it was demanding to “attend commissioning meetings” and play a role in “editorial processes” on Radio 4’s Today programme. The BBC later quit Stonewall diversity training.

Following the latest BBC Studios Pride comments, a BBC insider said senior management have been “incredibly naive”, while another source described the networks’ power as “intimidating”.

A BBC spokesman said: “BBC Pride is a volunteer-led staff network. It is not an editorial team and has no role in directing editorial content.”