Just as he argued that Rebekah Brooks could not lead an inquiry into herself, so Ed Miliband has declared that the BBC cannot investigate itself over the Jimmy Savile affair. He told ITV News last night:
To do right by the victims, I don’t think the BBC can lead their own inquiry… I think we need a broader look at these public institutions – the BBC, I’m afraid some parts of the NHS, potentially, Broadmoor.
I’m open-minded about how it’s done but it’s got to be independent … I’m a great supporter of the BBC but I don’t think you can have the BBC board sort of leading its own inquiry.
Labour’s default response to scandal is, increasingly, to demand an independent inquiry, so I’ve compiled a list of some of its most recent calls. Whether or not the below reflects an unusual preponderance of scandals or a lack of imagination on Labour’s part, I’ll let you decide.
West Coast Mainline
It is vital that we get to the bottom of the role of Ministers and who knew what when. It is scandalous that the review of what has been a huge failure of government is to be conducted by a senior figure from within the Department for Transport. We need a truly independent inquiry led by a figure unconnected to the DfT examining the role of officials from top to bottom, including ministers. There must be no scapegoating.
Maria Eagle, 5 October 2012
GCSE English papers
Whilst the Education Secretary Michael Gove says he is ‘saddened’ by the injustice that has been served to thousands of pupils, he is showing how out-of-touch he is with pupil opinion by refusing to take action. Labour supports calls for an independent inquiry to get to the bottom of this mess.
Stephen Twigg, 7 September 2012
The banks
We’ve got to have an open, independent inquiry with hearings to find out what is going on in the dark corners of the banks.
Ed Miliband, 30 June 2012
PIP breast implants
These women have had their lives turned upside down by this scandal but have rallied together to, in my view, articulate a convincing case for a public inquiry to take place in Scotland.
Jackie Baillie, 14 June 2012
Cash-for-access
With new allegations of cash for access emerging on a daily basis it is vital that David Cameron comes clean about the full scale and nature of his many meetings with wealthy donors. He needs to establish an independent inquiry immediately so people can have confidence that this matter will be resolved.
Jon Trickett, 1 April 2012
The riots
That is why I do say again to the Prime Minister: You must now agree to this commission of inquiry, you must agree to the national conversation that we need. Only by doing that can we properly serve the victims of what happened.
Ed Miliband, 13 August 2011
Care home abuse
There must be an independent investigation into what happened and what lessons need to be learned and the government should announce it straight away.
Ed Miliband, 7 June 2011
The press (successful)
It is not about government imposing this on the press, but I think the review needs to have some independence, both from government and from those involved in the day-to-day running of newspapers.
Ed Miliband, 19 April 2011
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