In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC, Culture Secretary shares her opinion on the broadcaster's licence fee, repatriating the Elgin Marbles and press freedom.
Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street
Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan reinforced her commitment to the role in an interview with the BBC earlier this week.
When BBC News Culture and Media Editor Katie Razzall referred to the “revolving door” of DCMS Ministers, with 11 Conservative MPs holding the role in the last decade, Donelan said she “certainly” plans to stay in the department for the long-term.
“I certainly intend to be here for a while. We’ve got a great deal of work to get through but there is much, much more in my in-tray and more than I want in my outbox,” Donelan said.
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Donelan became the first Culture Secretary to serve under two consecutive Prime Ministers when she was reappointed by Rishi Sunak in October. Before Christmas, she announced intention to take maternity leave later this year.
BBC and Channel 4
During the BBC interview, Donelan confirmed an “evidence-based” government review into the BBC licence fee is planned.
Referring to the licence fee as an “unfair tax”, Donelan said the sustainability of the BBC is “questionable” under current licence fee arrangements.
“I think the BBC licence fee on its own will be problematic, if we are to make sure the BBC continues to be the fantastic public service broadcaster that it is. So we need to look at this agenda... we want to have that evidence at our fingertips to make an informed decision,” she said.
Her comments follow her decision to reverse plans to privatise Channel 4 last week.
Donelan called hereself an “evidence-based politican” during the interview and said the U-turn came after reviewing the business case for privatisation and concluding that it was not the best way to ensure the broadcaster's future sustainability.
“I’ve based it on evidence and I hope that speaks for the type of politican I am and will be when it comes to other issues as well,” she said.
The Elgin Marbles
Elsewhere in the interview, Donelan insisted the Parthenon Sculptures belong in the UK.
Last year, reports suggested the British Museum was in preliminary talks with Greek officials about returning the artefacts, also known as the Elgin Marbles.
In this interview, the Culture Secretary said the position of British Museum Chair George Osborne, the former Chancellor, has been misconstrued in the media, adding he is “not about to send them back”.
Donelan said sending the sculptures to Greece would “open a can of worms” and be a “dangerous road to go down”.
It would “open the gateway to the question of the entire contents of our museums,” she added.
Press freedom
Donelan was also asked her opinion on free speech in the media, with reference to an opinion piece recently written by Jeremy Clarkson about the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle.
Insisting she “categorically” doesn't align herself with Clarkson's comments, Donelan said she “defends his right to be able to say what he wants.”
“I believe in freedom of speech very strongly... I think he had the right to say what he wanted to say.”
During the BBC's Media Show that broadcast Donelan's interview, Senior Correspondent Lara O'Reilly called Donelan's comments on press freedom “a little bit blasé” considering Clarkson's article received complaints from 60 cross-party MPs.
“I would have been interested in hearing about what kind of press she wants, considering the harm and offence that caused. But I'm sure people on Fleet Street will be cheering at their desks at that reaction.”
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