Michael Grade too lazy and old to lead Ofcom, says BBC official historian

Prof Jean Seaton said Michael Grade was ‘a very interesting producer, really innovative’ in his time. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

The new head of the broadcast watchdog, Michael Grade, is too old, too lazy, and has too many conflicts of interest to lead Ofcom, the BBC’s official historian has said.

Prof Jean Seaton told the Hay festival that Grade’s appointment was a “way of bullying” the broadcaster. The Conservative peer, 79, was confirmed as the Ofcom chair in April after impressing MPs with his “character and gravitas” despite concerns over a “clear lack of depth” of knowledge about social media and online safety.