BBC spent £28 million in eight years for stifling criticism

It’s paradoxical that figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that the BBC, an organisation dedicated to disseminating ideas and promoting freedom of speech, has spent £28 million in the last eight years ensuring that people who leave will not speak out. So-called “compromise agreements” have been signed by 539 staff, of whom 14 received more than £300,000 for their silence. Tony Hall, the new director-general, has ordered pay-offs to be capped at £150,000 from September, but he hasn’t said whether confidentiality clauses will continue.

That £28 million spent on gagging people would have paid for new drama series which could have run over the summer when more people than ever can’t afford holidays. It could have paid for new daytime programming, when an ageing population is available to watch — but it’s been used to stifle criticism.

The last DG, George Entwistle, resigned after 54 days in the job, battered by the Savile and McAlpine scandals, and got £450,000 — double what he was entitled to. He won’t ever be commenting on his former bosses, and yet it’s the public’s money in his bank account.