A NORTH West MEP has branded the selection of Gavyn Davies as chairman of the BBC Board of Governors a turn-off.

Mr David Sumberg, a former Bury South MP, claimed the appointment jeopardised the BBC's strict impartiality.

He said Mr Davies was a former Labour advisor, whose wife, Sue Nye, is an aide to Gordon Brown.

"This appointment means both the Director General Greg Dyke and the chairman are well known, ardent supporters of the same political party," he said.

"That has never happened before."

"It sends out completely the wrong message at a time when the BBC is coming under heavy fire for left-wing bias after the disgracefully anti-American Question Time."

Mr Sumberg said the integrity of the BBC will be damaged by the decision.

"This is a black day for journalism," he said.

"The BBC should have a permanent distance between itself and the government of the day. That is healthy for democracy. This is too cosy."