BBC presenters break after dinner speech rules

It seems that top BBC presenters are moonlighting as after dinner speakers, something that according to the Liberal Democrat culture spokesperson, Don Foster, is against the BBC’s rules.

It seems that a number of BBC news readers are available through one of the largest after dinner speaking agencies, JLA.

These include Fiona Bruce, Huw Edwards, Emily Maitlis, John Humphrys, Evan Davis, Edward Stourton, Andrew Marr, George Alagiah, Kate Silverton, Robert Peston, Mihir Bose, Bill Turnbull, Nicholas Witchell, Rory Cellan Jones, Frank Gardner, Jeremy Vine and Declan Curry.

The BBC’s rule state that under no circumstances should they sign up to external agencies with a view to public speaking, unless they have written permission from their head of department.

MPs are calling for the BBC Trust to review the rules and look into BBC staff that have made speeches.