Caroline Dinenage denies writing article accusing BBC of bias

Caroline Dinenage, the Conservative MP who chairs the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has denied writing an article that appeared on the ConservativeHome website in November 2025, criticizing the BBC for institutional bias.

The article was published during a media storm that led to the resignation of BBC director general Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness after contentious accusations of bias from former external adviser Michael Prescott. In the piece, attributed to Dinenage, she said Prescott's claims “made plain what many viewers have sensed for some time: a pattern of institutional bias within BBC News and current affairs.” She also accused the corporation of “deep anti-Israel bias” and said the issue “runs into the very culture, editorial mindset and assumptions that have shaped the BBC for years.”

Dinenage was questioned about the article by Roger Bolton, a former BBC Radio 4 presenter, on his BeebWatch podcast. During the interview, she did not challenge the article’s authenticity. However, after the recording, Dinenage’s office contacted the podcast to say that neither she nor her team had written the article and that it did not accurately reflect her views. The relevant section was edited out of the podcast.

ConservativeHome stated that it could not find a record of exactly who sent the article but said it was received in the usual manner and remains on the website as a genuine submission. The site stands by its publication.

The unusual dispute highlights the common practice of opinion pieces being drafted by media officers and later approved by politicians. In this case, a misunderstanding likely occurred over whether Dinenage had approved the piece. The original author remains unknown.