MP probes “criminal wrongdoing” in BBC payoffs
Following the revelation that the £25 million had been used to provide payoffs to senior BBC staff made redundant since 2005, MP Rob Wilson has asked the National Audit Office to assess whether the payoffs constituted fraud or criminal wrongdoing.
The payoffs were made from 2005
"Having studied the report overnight, I do think there are individual cases that require further explanation and examination,” he wrote.
"I have therefore written to the NAO today asking whether it has further information it can share about the process by which payoffs were made and whether any element of fraud or other criminal wrongdoing associated.
"Based on the reply I receive, I will consider whether there are grounds to refer this matter to the police."
"In the event that you consider it possible that criminal offences may have taken place, I would be grateful if you would inform me whether, in your opinion, the evidence is sufficient to warrant a wider investigation as to the possibility of fraud, collusion in fraud, misuse of public funds, or other wrongdoing in relation to severance payments at the BBC in recent years."
The BBC said that the National Audit office report on BBC severance payments found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, and the corporation “strongly refute[s] any claims to the contrary.”