No agenda against BBC, says No 10 as culture secretary claims broadcaster has shown bias

Downing Street has denied that the government is pursuing an agenda against the BBC after the culture secretary, Lucy Frazer, accused the corporation of bias and argued that it needed to adapt or risk losing the trust of audiences.

- Pinna Crerar

Rishi Sunak said impartiality was an "important tenet" of the UK media industry while on a visit, but later his official spokesperson declined to say whether the prime minister agreed with Frazer's comments.

Asked whether it was right to say the government was pursuing an agenda against the BBC, the spokesperson replied: "No. This is rightly about ensuring the BBC is able to continue to thrive long into the future."

Ofcom, the media watchdog, will be given more powers to investigate the BBC, while the organisation's board could get responsibility over its complaints process, under proposals in a midterm review of its governance and regulations.

Frazer told Times Radio yesterday: "This isn't about the government.

This is about impartiality and not just about politics. Audiences are feeling like impartiality and the BBC is on a downward trajectory."