The BBC has been caught trying to hide a leaked recording that would humiliate Theresa May [AUDIO]


Support us and go ad-free

Many people are accusing the BBC of under-reporting its own scoop on the Prime Minister. A recording leaked to the BBC suggests that Theresa May has repeatedly misled parliament. The Prime Minister has consistently denied a ‘sweetheart deal’ for Conservative-controlled Surrey Council.

But the leaked recording shows a “gentleman’s agreement”, indicating the government made special arrangements for the council. Both Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Chancellor Phillip Hammond have constituencies in Surrey.

The BBC’s former editor expressed concern at the lack of coverage:

Related articles

Read on...

The scandal that keeps giving

Last month, the Surrey Council scandal began when Jeremy Corbyn ambushed May with leaked texts at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs). The texts suggested the government had offered Conservative Council leader David Hodge extra cash to ‘kill off’ a referendum on a Surrey Council tax hike. The council originally floated a 15% increase in council tax to pay for its adult social care crisis. The tax hike would’ve embarrassed both Hammond and Hunt.

At the time, May accused Corbyn of using “alternative facts”. And when the Labour leader raised it again in the Commons, May said:

Those claims were utterly destroyed the same afternoon, so rather than asking the same question, he should stand up and apologise.

But in the leaked recording, Council leader Hodge speaks of a “gentleman’s agreement” between himself and the government. Hodge recalls how he spoke with the Secretary of State for Local Government “in his car outside No 10 Downing Street”.

He continued:

The Special Advisor rang me with what we can and cannot say. There are certain things we cannot say. And yes there are certain risks with the decision that we’ve decided to go with.

Media outrage… imminent?

Despite being leaked the recording, many people are accusing the BBC of under-reporting the revelation:

At PMQs on 8 March, Corbyn raised the Surrey Council question again:

Could the Prime Minister explain the difference between a sweetheart deal and a gentleman’s agreement?

In response, May continued to simply deny any deal exists. But both the leaked messages and recordings suggest otherwise. And nobody’s buying this dismissive comeback.

Listen to the audio here:

Get Involved!

Play your part in the ongoing media revolution by reading and supporting new media organisations that do better.

Please add more that you like in the comments.

The Canary, Media Diversified, Novara Media, Corporate Watch, Common Space, Media Lens, Bella Caledonia, Vox Political, Evolve Politics, Real Media, Reel News, STRIKE! magazine, The Bristol Cable, The Meteor, Salford Star

Featured image via Andy Roberts/Flickr and screengrab

We know everyone is suffering under the Tories - but the Canary is a vital weapon in our fight back, and we need your support

The Canary Workers’ Co-op knows life is hard. The Tories are waging a class war against us we’re all having to fight. But like trade unions and community organising, truly independent working-class media is a vital weapon in our armoury.

The Canary doesn’t have the budget of the corporate media. In fact, our income is over 1,000 times less than the Guardian’s. What we do have is a radical agenda that disrupts power and amplifies marginalised communities. But we can only do this with our readers’ support.

So please, help us continue to spread messages of resistance and hope. Even the smallest donation would mean the world to us.

Support us

Comments are closed

Related articles