Gaviscon

I shall return in more detail to the BBC's review of governance after I've been to the pub; it is pretty indigestible, and clearly has been written by several hands. I highlight one chilling section, from someone who clearly gets angry, about "changing the culture" beyond the new rule book ....

It will require a willingness to share information openly from the Executive to the Trust without any implication that this cuts across the formal responsibilities of each side, or that it will be taken as an invitation for direct involvement in the matter at hand. 

It will also require the Executive to be more open to frank discussion and comment about issues the BBC has faced and understand that the Trust, in reviewing such matters, may take a different view. In return, the Trust will ensure it steps away from involvement in day to day management of issues once it is satisfied that an appropriate framework has been set. Provided the Executive works within that framework it will be left to deliver the work without additional input from the Trust.

So the Kroll Kode of Konduct for the Trust is replaced with an unworkable demand on the Executive: Tell us everything, and we'll decide if and when we interfere.

Meanwhile we note that Sir Howard Stringer (Merton College, Oxford), rejected previously as DG in 1999, and tapped up unsuccessfully as Chairman when Patten got the gig, is joining as a non-executive on the Executive. Earlier this month he got his foot in the door helping to sort out James Harding and a licence-fee funded World Service. Sir Howard, 71, seems to be collecting grandee roles in his retirement - is there a conflict of interest here already ?

I'll allow myself one "told yer". There will be a job as Secretary on the Executive.