‘Troubling’ messages showing No 10 pressure on BBC need investigating, say former staff

The BBC’s ability to withstand criticism from the government has been under scrutiny. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/Reuters

Former BBC staffers have expressed concerns about the leaked WhatsApp and email messages suggesting the corporation bowed to pressure from No 10 to avoid using the word “lockdown” at the start of the pandemic and to turn up criticism of Labour.

Rob Burley, a former senior editor in charge of political programmes, described the messages as “very troubling” while veteran BBC journalist John Simpson stressed that it was “not our job to do Downing Street’s bidding”.