Dyke: Blair's world of 'lies and bullying'

[CHIMO]

Greg Dyke, former director-general of the BBC, today lays bare the astonishing inside story of the war waged by the Prime Minister and Downing Street against the BBC over its coverage of the Iraq war and the controversial issue of weapons of mass destruction.

In an explosive autobiography which returns the corrosive issue of Iraq to the heart of political debate, Dyke reveals that Tony Blair wrote an unprecedented letter to him and Gavyn Davies, the former BBC chairman, trying to force the corporation to change the tone of its coverage.

In the extracts serialised in The Observer today, Dyke reveals:
· That he believes Blair reneged on a deal not to call for 'heads to roll' at the BBC.
· That he believes Alastair Campbell, the former Number 10 director of communications, was forced out by Blair for being 'out of control'.
· That six still-serving BBC governors should resign over their part in the affair.

'I knew Blair had told Gavyn in a private telephone conversation that, whatever happened, Number 10 would not be calling on either Gavyn or me to go,' Dyke says. 'When we watched Blair in the Commons Gavyn realised the Prime Minister had gone back on his word.'

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/kelly/story/0,13747,1293259,00.html

[scarletlib]

1. Great article

God, I love the Guardian.