Trevor Phillips: Incoming BBC chairman Samir Shah won’t take any ‘nonsense’ from ministers
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The incoming BBC chairman Dr Samir Shah won’t take any “nonsense” from ministers, Sir Trevor Phillips has claimed.
Dr Shah, a television executive and race relations expert whose work has often pushed back against “woke” talking points, has been named as the Government’s preferred candidate to lead the BBC board.
Dr Shah will defend the BBC from the “nonsense” and interference of government ministers, his friend Sir Trevor has said.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Sir Trevor said: “He won’t take any nonsense, and by the way, that’s a warning to civil servants and ministers.”
He added, in relation to handling “woke” issues: “He will work on the basis of evidence. It’s not about coming to the topic with a preferred narrative.”
Dr Shah worked at the BBC for more than a decade and has held numerous prominent roles at public institutions, including a stint as chairman of the Museum of the Home where he helped advise on the government’s “retain and explain” approach to preserving contentious statues.
He served as chairman of the Runnymede Trust from 1999 to 2009, overseeing research into race relations in Britain, and in 2021 co-authored and defended the Sewell Report which disputed claims about the UK being institutionally racist.
His appointment comes amid uncertainty about the future of the licence fee, which is set to rise following a two-year freeze, but remains in doubt as a review examines its efficacy as a funding model.
Sir Trevor said that the preferred candidate as chairman of the BBC will be able to handle this wrangling. He said: “I think he’ll bring a great intellect. He has what you might call a forensic intellect.
“He will bring character, and I think that will be very important in licence fee negotiations.
“He’s got courage. He has made many controversial programs, and […] after getting a beating and shouting and so on, doesn’t retreat, and goes and makes another one.
“He will be a fierce defender of the corporation but he will also expect the highest standard.”
Dr Shah’s candidacy was backed by Lucy Frazer, the Culture Secretary, who said: “With a career spanning more than 40 years in TV production and journalism, Dr Shah has a wealth of experience to bring to the position of BBC Chair.”
