MP denies authoring article accusing BBC of bias
6 reported1 unconfirmed
Caroline Dinenage, the Conservative MP who chairs the Commons culture, media and sport committee, has denied writing an article that accused the BBC of institutional bias. The article, published on the ConservativeHome website in November 2025, said former external adviser Michael Prescott’s claims “made plain what many viewers have sensed for some time: a pattern of institutional bias within BBC News and current affairs” and accused the corporation of “deep anti-Israel bias.” Dinenage was questioned about the article by the BeebWatch podcast, but before the episode was released, her office contacted the podcast to say neither she nor her team had written it and that it did not accurately reflect her views. The podcast host, former BBC Radio 4 presenter Roger Bolton, said the section discussing the article was edited out. ConservativeHome stated it could not find a record of exactly who sent them the article but believes it to be genuine and has kept it on its website. The source article notes it is not unusual for opinion pieces under a politician’s name to be drafted by media officers and later approved, and suggests a misunderstanding may have occurred over whether Dinenage approved the piece.
What’s reported
Caroline Dinenage chairs the Commons culture, media and sport committee.
An article on ConservativeHome, attributed to Dinenage, accused the BBC of institutional bias and “deep anti-Israel bias.”
Dinenage’s office told the BeebWatch podcast that neither she nor her team wrote the article and that it did not reflect her views.
The relevant section of the podcast interview was edited out.
ConservativeHome said it cannot find a record of who sent the article but stands by its publication.
The source article says it is likely a misunderstanding occurred over whether Dinenage approved the piece.
Open questions
Who actually wrote the article attributed to Caroline Dinenage.
Key figures
Caroline Dinenage, Conservative MP and chair of the Commons culture, media and sport committee
Michael Prescott, former external adviser to the BBC
Roger Bolton, former BBC Radio 4 presenter and host of the BeebWatch podcast
Sources: The Guardian
