Difference between revisions of "John Birt"
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==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
| − | Lord John Birt was born 10 December 1944. He worked at Granada and London Weekend Television, where he became good friends with [[Peter Mandelson]], before starting at the BBC as deputy director-general in 1987. He was the | + | Lord John Birt was born 10 December 1944. He worked at Granada and London Weekend Television, where he became good friends with [[Peter Mandelson]], before starting at the BBC as deputy director-general in 1987. He was the Beeb's Director-General from 1992 to 2000, was awarded the life peerage in 1999, and took his seat in the House of Lords in March 2000. {{ref|Dodd}} {{ref|Mandy}} |
| − | In October 2001, Birt was appointed as Tony | + | In October 2001, Birt was appointed as Tony Blair's personal advisor, for what was termed 'blue skies thinking'. The position was unpaid. His role was controversial: as a special advisor rather than a civil servant, he was not obliged to appear in front of Commons Select Committees - and refused to do so when requested. {{ref|Birtappointment}} {{ref|Whereisbirt}} |
| − | He prepared reports on crime, drugs, education, health and transport | + | He prepared reports on crime, drugs, education, health and transport - all of which have been released under the Freedom of Information Act. NuclearSpin applied for a copy of his report on nuclear power - widely reported to recommend building new nuclear power stations - under the Act, but the government said it could 'neither confirm nor deny whether [it] holds [such] information'. NuclearSpin has appealed against the decision. {{ref|BirtFOIA}} {{ref|Birtpronuke}} {{ref|cookson}} |
While at Downing Street, Birt worked part-time for management consultants [[McKinsey & Company]], which has won a considerable number of contracts with the Government. Since February 2004, Birt has been a member of the Board of Directors of [[PayPal]]. {{ref|Dodd}} {{ref|ContractsMcKinsey}} {{ref|PayPal}} | While at Downing Street, Birt worked part-time for management consultants [[McKinsey & Company]], which has won a considerable number of contracts with the Government. Since February 2004, Birt has been a member of the Board of Directors of [[PayPal]]. {{ref|Dodd}} {{ref|ContractsMcKinsey}} {{ref|PayPal}} | ||
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Birt is widely reported to be pro-nuclear and his unpublished report on energy is said to recommend the expansion of nuclear power. {{ref|Birtpronuke}} | Birt is widely reported to be pro-nuclear and his unpublished report on energy is said to recommend the expansion of nuclear power. {{ref|Birtpronuke}} | ||
| − | ''The Guardian'' reported in November 2005: | + | ''The Guardian'' reported in November 2005: 'Both John Birt, the PM's personal adviser and former head of the BBC, and industry adviser [[Geoffrey Norris]], have been pushing the technology [nuclear] strongly from the Strategy Unit at No 10'. {{ref|Whoisfor}} |
| − | According to press reports during mid-2005, Tony Blair also lobbied for Birt to become chairman of the nuclear power company [[Urenco]] | + | According to press reports during mid-2005, Tony Blair also lobbied for Birt to become chairman of the nuclear power company [[Urenco]] - which has almost a fifth of the global uranium enrichment market and is jointly owned by the British, Dutch and German governments. The job went to [[Christopher Clark]], former chief executive of chemicals firm [[Johnson Matthey]], in September. {{ref|BirtUrenco}} |
| − | Reports also suggest that Birt then unsuccessfully lobbied to be appointed head of the | + | Reports also suggest that Birt then unsuccessfully lobbied to be appointed head of the Government's forthcoming review of nuclear energy before quitting as Blair's special advisor. {{ref|Birtblocked}} |
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| − | * {{note|Dodd}} [http://www.dodonline.co.uk/engine.asp?lev1=4&lev2=38&menu=81&biog=y&id=26988 DodOnline Political Biographies: Lord Birt], subscription only but can be accessed for free through [http://www.parliament.uk/directories/house_of_lords_information_office/crossbench_members.cfm UK | + | * {{note|Dodd}} [http://www.dodonline.co.uk/engine.asp?lev1=4&lev2=38&menu=81&biog=y&id=26988 DodOnline Political Biographies: Lord Birt], subscription only but can be accessed for free through [http://www.parliament.uk/directories/house_of_lords_information_office/crossbench_members.cfm UK Parliament's website] undated, accessed February 2006. |
| − | * {{note|Mandy}} [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3916089.stm BBC news website | + | * {{note|Mandy}} [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3916089.stm BBC news website 'Profile: Peter Mandelson'], August 13, 2004. |
| − | * {{note|Birtappointment}} [http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/publicationscheme/requests.asp | + | * {{note|Birtappointment}} [http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/publicationscheme/requests.asp Birt's letter of appointment, released under the Freedom of Information Act (pdf)], undated. |
* {{note|Whereisbirt}} [http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmpubadm/690/69003.htm Select Committee on Public Administration First Special Report], November 17, 2005. | * {{note|Whereisbirt}} [http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmpubadm/690/69003.htm Select Committee on Public Administration First Special Report], November 17, 2005. | ||
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* {{note|BirtFOIA}} [http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/publicationscheme/requests.asp Documents released by the Cabinet Office under the Freedom of Information Act], undated, accessed February 2006. | * {{note|BirtFOIA}} [http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/publicationscheme/requests.asp Documents released by the Cabinet Office under the Freedom of Information Act], undated, accessed February 2006. | ||
| − | * {{note|Birtleaves}} [http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/page8774.asp Downing Street announcement | + | * {{note|Birtleaves}} [http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/page8774.asp Downing Street announcement 'New Job for Lord Birt'], December 15, 2005. |
* {{note|PayPal}} [http://www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/board_eu-outside PayPayl website: Board of Directors], undated, accessed February 2006. | * {{note|PayPal}} [http://www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/board_eu-outside PayPayl website: Board of Directors], undated, accessed February 2006. | ||
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===Articles=== | ===Articles=== | ||
| − | * {{note|Birtpronuke}}Marie Woolf and Andrew Grice, "Nuclear power? Yes please, says Blair", ''The Independent'', April 23, 2005, unavailable on [http://www.independent.co.uk ''Independent'' website], but can be viewed at [http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=41134 Climate Ark website]; Eddie Barnes and Murdo Macleod | + | * {{note|Birtpronuke}}Marie Woolf and Andrew Grice, "Nuclear power? Yes please, says Blair", ''The Independent'', April 23, 2005, unavailable on [http://www.independent.co.uk ''Independent'' website], but can be viewed at [http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=41134 Climate Ark website]; Eddie Barnes and Murdo Macleod '[http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=605&id=526692005 Country Needs Nuclear Power]', ''Scotland on Sunday'', May 15, 2005. |
| − | * {{note|ContractsMcKinsey}} Tania Branigan, [http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foi/story/0,,1520784,00.html | + | * {{note|ContractsMcKinsey}} Tania Branigan, [http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foi/story/0,,1520784,00.html 'Ministers 'used Live 8 to bury' critical report'], ''The Guardian'', July 4, 2005. |
| − | * {{note|Whoisfor}} No named author, "Energy Review: Who's for, Who's Against and | + | * {{note|Whoisfor}} No named author, "Energy Review: Who's for, Who's Against and Why', unavailable online, ''The Guardian'', November 30 2005. |
| − | * {{note|BirtUrenco}} Jay Merrick, "Birt the Crony is in line for | + | * {{note|BirtUrenco}} Jay Merrick, "Birt the Crony is in line for ,000 post", unavailable online, ''Mail on Sunday'', September 26, 2006; G. Wilson and M. Seamark, "Birt tipped for Urenco post", unavailable online, ''The Independent'', September 26, 2005; No named author, "Birt Quits No10 and Heads for the City", unavailable online, ''Daily Mail'', December 16, 2005. |
* {{note|Birtblocked}} Andrew Grice, "Birt's Move to Head Nuclear Inquiry is Blocked by Cabinet", unavailable online, ''The Independent'', November 28, 2005. | * {{note|Birtblocked}} Andrew Grice, "Birt's Move to Head Nuclear Inquiry is Blocked by Cabinet", unavailable online, ''The Independent'', November 28, 2005. | ||
[[Category: Nuclear Spin]] | [[Category: Nuclear Spin]] | ||
[[Category:Pro-nuclear individuals|Birt, John]] | [[Category:Pro-nuclear individuals|Birt, John]] | ||