Lyons: Keep quiet over BBC cuts

Chair of the BBC Trust Sir Michael Lyons has said that BBC broadcasters should not be speaking in public about the forthcoming BBC cutbacks.

He was referring to the six-year budgeting plan expected to be announced next week which could see the BBC make significant cuts across the corporation, with a reported 2,800 staff in the firing line.

Over the past month BBC staff including Jeremy Paxman, Charlotte Green, Peter Donaldson and John Humphrys have spoken out about the cuts, but Sir Michael has said this week that such public declarations raise "misgivings and doubts" and encouraged staff to make comments on the proposals through "internal channels".

BBC director general Mark Thompson will reportedly speak to highly paid BBC talent next week about reviewing their salaries ahead of the proposed budget cuts. According to The Guardian, more than 100 of the BBC's stars have been invited to the meeting in London.