GREG Dyke's appointment as director-general of the BBC has brought predictable squeals from the Tories.

He has donated more than £50,000 to the Labour Party, which he has supported for many years.

But most people have political leanings and William Hague and his colleagues should remember that there have been a least two director-generals in recent years who have been self-confessed Conservatives.

The real issue is: What is the new man going to do about the BBC?

The corporation is at a crossroads with many of its television current affairs programmes taking on a weary look and its once unassailable sports coverage plummeting to an abysmal level.

Even though he will be forever linked with Roland Rat and candy floss shows like "Blind Date," Mr Dyke has an excellent track record in television. No one can argue with his ability to stimulate ratings.

Critics of the appointment also point out that Mr Dyke will be the BBC's editor-in-chief.

True, editors should be seen to be even-handed. But they can, and do, act even-handedly while holding political views.

Presumably Mr Dyke's Tory critics found Conservative director-generals/editor-in-chiefs were just that.

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