Government panel on BBC 'a matter for real concern'

The Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale, has appointed a panel to consider the future funding and scope of the BBC.

The Sunday Times is reporting the government will publish proposals considering whether the licence fee should be replaced with a tax or subscription, and questioning the impartiality of BBC News.

Sir Michael Lyons, a former chairman of the BBC Trust which governs the corporation, described the appointment of a "hand-picked panel" as a "murky" development.