Yentob criticises government ministers

Alan Yentob has criticised government ministers for their comments regarding the decision to sack Arlene Phillips from Strictly Come Dancing.

The BBC Creative Director suggested to the Evening Standard that it was not up to the government to interfere in casting decisions.

Yentob said: "Do I think it's the job of ministers to decide who is cast in shows?

"Everybody around the building would like to be the person who decides who goes on that show or that show. Maybe Ben Bradshaw and Harriet Harman are no different."

Regarding reports of supposedly excessive expenses claims, he added: "I don't think there's any reason for a collective mea culpa, which isn't to say we should be complacent about the times we're living in.

"In an environment in which ordinary people are struggling, it's difficult to understand something of the convention that goes on in certain areas of business."