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BBC chief's contract has gagging order BBC chief's contract has gagging order
(6 months later)
New BBC director general Tony Hall's £450,000 contract has been published in full by the BBC Trust, including a gagging order that bars him from criticising the corporation for two years after he leaves.New BBC director general Tony Hall's £450,000 contract has been published in full by the BBC Trust, including a gagging order that bars him from criticising the corporation for two years after he leaves.
Hall's contract also revealed that the BBC Trust has made it cheaper to sack Hall than it was his predecessor George Entwistle.Hall's contract also revealed that the BBC Trust has made it cheaper to sack Hall than it was his predecessor George Entwistle.
The trust can terminate Hall's contract with six months' notice, half the amount which had to be given to Entwistle in the event of his sacking.The trust can terminate Hall's contract with six months' notice, half the amount which had to be given to Entwistle in the event of his sacking.
The trust said it was publishing Hall's 17-page contract "in the interests of transparency", the first time it has taken the step to proactively reveal the full details of employment of a BBC director general.The trust said it was publishing Hall's 17-page contract "in the interests of transparency", the first time it has taken the step to proactively reveal the full details of employment of a BBC director general.
Hall is barred from making "any derogatory or unfavourable public remark or statement" about the BBC during his time in office or within two years of his departure.Hall is barred from making "any derogatory or unfavourable public remark or statement" about the BBC during his time in office or within two years of his departure.
He is also forbidden from writing or speaking about the BBC during his tenure and the subsequent two-year period "without the prior written consent" of the BBC.He is also forbidden from writing or speaking about the BBC during his tenure and the subsequent two-year period "without the prior written consent" of the BBC.
The BBC Trust revealed details of predecessor George Entwistle's contract, however this was in response to a Freedom of Information request.The BBC Trust revealed details of predecessor George Entwistle's contract, however this was in response to a Freedom of Information request.
Hall, who is also Lord Hall of Birkenhead after he was made a life peer in 2010, will not suspend his membership of the House of Lords during his time as director general, but will not take part in votes.Hall, who is also Lord Hall of Birkenhead after he was made a life peer in 2010, will not suspend his membership of the House of Lords during his time as director general, but will not take part in votes.
His contract prevents him from engaging in "any political activities" without the BBC's prior written consent.His contract prevents him from engaging in "any political activities" without the BBC's prior written consent.
Hall told BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten that it was "unlikely" he would speak in any Lords debate, and if he did, would "discuss the matter with the chairman in advance".Hall told BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten that it was "unlikely" he would speak in any Lords debate, and if he did, would "discuss the matter with the chairman in advance".
The BBC Trust said the clauses in Hall's contract relating to making public remarks about the BBC were standard executive board terms and also included in Entwistle's contract.The BBC Trust said the clauses in Hall's contract relating to making public remarks about the BBC were standard executive board terms and also included in Entwistle's contract.
Hall, the former chief executive of the Royal Opera House, is paid £450,000 a year in his new role and has the use of a car and driver "where appropriate".Hall, the former chief executive of the Royal Opera House, is paid £450,000 a year in his new role and has the use of a car and driver "where appropriate".
His salary will be reviewed in August of each year, but he is told in his offer letter that it "does not commit the BBC to any increase. You should also note that there is currently a freeze on the salary of any member of the management board or executive board."His salary will be reviewed in August of each year, but he is told in his offer letter that it "does not commit the BBC to any increase. You should also note that there is currently a freeze on the salary of any member of the management board or executive board."
The BBC Trust can sack Hall with six months' notice, unlike the 12 months' notice which had to be given to the man he replaced, George Entwistle.The BBC Trust can sack Hall with six months' notice, unlike the 12 months' notice which had to be given to the man he replaced, George Entwistle.
Even though Entwistle resigned – qualifying him for six months notice, rather than 12 – he was given a full year's salary of £450,000, twice what he was due.Even though Entwistle resigned – qualifying him for six months notice, rather than 12 – he was given a full year's salary of £450,000, twice what he was due.
BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten, in the face of criticism over the size of the payout, sought to justify it by saying if Entwistle had been sacked, he would have been eligible for the full £450,000 anyway.BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten, in the face of criticism over the size of the payout, sought to justify it by saying if Entwistle had been sacked, he would have been eligible for the full £450,000 anyway.
Hall is reviewing the amount of money the BBC gives former executives on their departure and has indicated that the days of big payoffs are over.Hall is reviewing the amount of money the BBC gives former executives on their departure and has indicated that the days of big payoffs are over.
Licence-fee payers with an interest in this sort of thing may also like to know that Hall is paid on the 15th of each month and has six weeks' holiday.Licence-fee payers with an interest in this sort of thing may also like to know that Hall is paid on the 15th of each month and has six weeks' holiday.
He continues in two non-executive roles – as a trustee of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and a trustee of the Foundation Years Trust.He continues in two non-executive roles – as a trustee of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and a trustee of the Foundation Years Trust.
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