Milne pays tribute to 'most distinguished correspondent'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MR TULLY's resignation last night was described as 'terribly sad' by Sir Alasdair Milne, a former BBC director general. 'He's the most distinguished correspondent, known world-wide, that we have,' he said.
'His speech last year about the way the BBC is being run underwrote general anxiety at the BBC. People are being kicked out in the most extraordinary way. Recently there were reports that the BBC had saved millions of pounds. Well, you can do that by sacking 5,000 people but then you have to replace them.
'Losing people of great quality like him is not an exercise I would indulge in myself.'
Gillian Reynolds, chair of the Radio Academy Festival where Tully made his now-famous speech last year, expressed regret last night: 'I'm very sorry. I've missed his reporting but it was obvious he was being squeezed out.'
She confessed admiration for John Birt but said the heart was being torn from the BBC by his reforms. 'I admire him for sticking to the plan as he saw it but I deplore its impact on staff. A generation-and-a-half of expertise has been lost.'
Michael Buerk, the BBC newsreader who worked with Tully in India, said his resignation was 'sad': 'He is an institution in India and was everything a foreign correspondent should be.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments