View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
February 16, 2006updated 22 Nov 2022 6:15pm

Wark placed on probation, says Scottish sunday

By Press Gazette

By Hamish Mackay

Scotland on Sunday has claimed that BBC Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark has been placed on "probation" by senior BBC executives.

The Edinburgh broadsheet said the probationary period follows her hosting Scotland’s First Minister Jack McConnell and his family on a New Year break last year at her villa in Majorca.

Scotland on Sunday, which said that Wark would continue to be closely monitored, based its claims on a confidential document from the BBC board of governors that it obtained under freedom of information laws.

After Scotland on Sunday published a picture of Wark and her family on holiday with the McConnells in Majorca, a minute of the board said: "The board recognised that Kirsty Wark was highly talented and widely respected.

"Her integrity was not in question but her actions had put the BBC in a difficult position.

"The issue for the BBC was one of perception of impartiality both among the public and politicians. Governors discussed the management’s handling of the matter and were assured that management would assess her interviewing and presenting roles on a case-by-case basis to address the issue of perceptions of impartiality.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

The minute added: "The board asked management to ensure this process remained rigorous."

Wark has publicly defended her hospitality on the grounds that the McConnells had been family friends of her husband, Alan Clements, and herself for around 20 years.

In a statement released to Scotland on Sunday, the BBC said: "Kirsty Wark is a journalist of the utmost experience and integrity and we continue to have every confidence in her ability.

"In the context of past events we still continue to review the position regarding interviewees and any issues regarding impartiality as would be the case with all our presenters.

"We want to make clear that Kirsty Wark has our full support."

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network