MP calls on BBC to protect ‘proper’ English
A senior Conservative MP has called on the BBC to readopt its role as protector of the English language.
Sir Nicholas Winterton, MP for Macclesfield, tabled an early day motion expressing concern over “persistent mispronunciations and grammatical errors” in BBC coverage.
He criticised the more “relaxed” style the BBC had adopted over recent years.
But he also said the corporation should not slip into uniformity.
“A variety of accents and styles of speech should be represented,” he admits.
But Sir Nicholas said he “does not believe that dictating to individual presenters on the proper and grammatically correct use of English would inhibit spontaneity and introduce a uniformity which would undermine their appeal to audiences across the UK”.
The motion was tabled yesterday, but has so far received no support from MPs.
