New culture secretary Nadine Dorries says BBC might not EXIST in a decade as she slams 'nepotism' and 'group think'
Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries today questioned whether the BBC will still exist in a decade - as she accused the broadcaster of nepotism and elitism.
The Culture Secretary demanded change at the organisation, saying its staff needed to reflect a wider demographic than just people 'whose mum and dads work there'.
Speaking at a Conservative Party fringe event the Liverpudlian said its 'groupthink mentality' excluded minorities and people with regional accents.
Asked whether the licence fee would still be compulsory in 10 or 20 years, she said: 'I can't look into the future. Will the BBC still be here in 10 years? I don't know.
The Culture Secretary demanded change at the organisation, saying it's staff needed to reflect a wider demographic than just people 'whose mum and dads work there'.
Speaking at a Conservative Party fringe event the Liverpudlian said its 'groupthink mentality' excluded minorities and people with regional accents.
At an event hosted by the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast, Ms Dorries, who has only been in her role since September's reshuffle, said she had 'an interesting meeting' with BBC director-general Tim Davie (pictured) and chairman Richard Sharp
'We can't look into the future. It is a very competitive environment at the moment.
'You have got Amazon Prime, Netflix and other bods coming down the line.
'This younger generation that are coming through, they certainly watch their television in a very different way to how my generation watched its TV, so who knows where we will be?'
Ms Dorries, 64 , also admitted she would pay the licence fee if it became a voluntary payment - but only to watch Strictly Come Dancing.
She insisted she did not want a 'war' with the broadcaster but suggested it would have to set out how it will change before the next licence fee settlement, which covers the five years from April 2022.
Ms Dorries, who went from a working-class background in Liverpool to become a bestselling author and Cabinet minister, hit out at the lack of opportunities in the arts and sports for children with similar upbringings.
At an event hosted by the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast, Ms Dorries, who has only been in her role since September's reshuffle, said she had 'an interesting meeting' with BBC director-general Tim Davie and chairman Richard Sharp.
'The perspective of the BBC is that they will get a settlement fee and then we will talk about how they are going to change,' the Culture Secretary said.
'My perspective is 'tell me how you are going to change and then you get the settlement fee'.
Ms Dorries highlighted a series of issues she had with the broadcaster, including a lack of working-class diversity and perceived political bias.
'It's about recognising that access and lack of impartiality are part of your problem,' she said.
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