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February 4, 2011

Dimbleby ‘on verge of quitting’ over Question Time Scotland move

By Dominic wireposts

Question Time presenter David Dimbleby is on the verge of quitting the show amid a row over it being moved from Westminster to Scotland, the Daily Mail reports.

Dimbleby told the Guardian yesterday that he was furious Question Time editor Ed Havard had left the show because he did not want to move to Scotland.

He said: “Question Time looks simple enough on air, but actually it’s the result of a great deal of work behind the scenes – at Westminster.”

The Daily Mail today reports: “Corporation chiefs are locked in a desperate battle to keep the esteemed presenter amid a growing crisis on its flagship political show. Last night insiders said Mr Dimbleby, 72, has threatened to resign.”

And it quotes a BBC insider: “There is a point about just how mad is it to take a programme that is rooted in national politics away from the centre of national politics. It will also be a lot more expensive.”

The BBC has a quota to ensure 50 per cent of network programme spending is outside London by 2016.

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