Key allegations about the government’s Iraq dossier were "unfounded", according to Lord Hutton in January.
In an era where the “opposition” is an ineffectual adversary to the governing party, many of those in the media consider perhaps the most effective voice of objection comes from within their industry.
Mr Dyke, claims in his new book ‘Inside Story’ (being serialised in The Observer and Mail on Sunday) that Number 10 attempted to pressurise the BBC into changing its stance on the Iraq War. He publishes several pieces of correspondence between Mr Blair and BBC executives that he believes illustrates this “bullying”.
He also claims Mr Blair struck Alastair Campbell off the invitation list to Downing Street because of his “obsession” to bring down the BBC.
Not one to resume his attack lightly, Mr Dyke goes on to suggest that Mr Blair gave the impression he had “reneged” on a deal that would see “no heads roll” at the BBC.
Now back in full-swing, Mr Dyke calls for their resignations, possibly because he believes that they do bend to government pressure, much like the representative in the aforementioned sitcom. And should that be the case, one of the most powerful newsgroups in the world may lack the independence and objectivity that is so valuable to journalistic integrity.
The BBC spokesman on the matter did nothing to allay suspicions of such an idea by stating simply that the corporation was: “Keen to draw a line under the matter.”
But in the interests of objectivity, the government’s actions must be considered. How they deal with the claims of Greg Dyke will be very telling to us all, and on this point, a spokesman said: “There have already been four extensive inquiries and we have nothing to add.”
So is this the last controversial argument surrounding the Hutton Report, and the death of the government weapons inspector Dr David Kelly? Don’t count on it.