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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/mar/04/bbc-white-paper-may-be-delayed-until-after-eu-referendum
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| BBC white paper may be delayed until after EU referendum | BBC white paper may be delayed until after EU referendum |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The government is likely to delay publishing the white paper on the renewal of the BBC royal charter until after the EU referendum, causing further delay and uncertainty for the corporation. | The government is likely to delay publishing the white paper on the renewal of the BBC royal charter until after the EU referendum, causing further delay and uncertainty for the corporation. |
| A Westminster source told the Guardian that the chances of the proposed legislation being unveiled after 23 June were about “80%” partly because of political considerations as well as the huge public response to the green paper launched last summer. | A Westminster source told the Guardian that the chances of the proposed legislation being unveiled after 23 June were about “80%” partly because of political considerations as well as the huge public response to the green paper launched last summer. |
| The extent of the response, at 190,000 the second biggest postbag for a piece of legislation ever, has delayed civil servants drafting the document and made the chance of it being published ahead of the May local elections slim. Originally, culture secretary John Whittingdale said it would be published in the “spring”. | The extent of the response, at 190,000 the second biggest postbag for a piece of legislation ever, has delayed civil servants drafting the document and made the chance of it being published ahead of the May local elections slim. Originally, culture secretary John Whittingdale said it would be published in the “spring”. |
| There is still a chance that the white paper outlining the government’s final stance on the BBC charter will be published in the short window after the May 5 elections and before a political purdah is imposed ahead of an important national vote. | There is still a chance that the white paper outlining the government’s final stance on the BBC charter will be published in the short window after the May 5 elections and before a political purdah is imposed ahead of an important national vote. |
| However, any legislation regarding the funding and future of the BBC is likely to attract massive media attention, which the government is unlikely to welcome during a divisive political vote over the EU. | However, any legislation regarding the funding and future of the BBC is likely to attract massive media attention, which the government is unlikely to welcome during a divisive political vote over the EU. |
| When asked whether the white paper would be delayed on Wednesday, culture secretary John Whittingdale said no decision had yet been. A final decision is likely to be made by his own department in consultation with Downing Street. | When asked whether the white paper would be delayed on Wednesday, culture secretary John Whittingdale said no decision had yet been. A final decision is likely to be made by his own department in consultation with Downing Street. |
| In answer to a question in the Commons on Thursday, Whittingdale said he intended to publish the white paper “as soon as is possible”, adding “but there are a number of very important contributions, including the 192,000 consultations, that we want to take fully into account”. | |
| The BBC is likely to oppose any unnecessary delay given the continued uncertainty over its future. Rona Fairhead, the BBC Trust chair, urged the government to publish the white paper as soon as possible. | |
| “For the time being, charter review hangs over the BBC: a cloud of uncertainty and unease. | “For the time being, charter review hangs over the BBC: a cloud of uncertainty and unease. |
| “I dearly hope that cloud will have blown over by the end of this year, but that will require some clear decisions to be taken, and quickly.” | “I dearly hope that cloud will have blown over by the end of this year, but that will require some clear decisions to be taken, and quickly.” |
| She also called for an 11-year charter to avoid the political cycle. | She also called for an 11-year charter to avoid the political cycle. |
| Responding to reports that the BBC white paper might be delayed, the shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport, Maria Eagle, said: “The culture secretary originally said the white paper would be published in the spring. And last week I said he must guarantee that there would be no further slippage, and that the white paper must be published by May at the absolute latest. | |
| “Incompetent and distracted ministers are more interested in Tory infighting over Europe than in securing the best future for our national broadcaster. | |
| “The government has already created a cloud of uncertainty over the future of the BBC. So to cast further doubt on the corporation’s future by delaying the white paper again would be unacceptable”. |