Michael
Stevenson decides to leave the BBC
Michael
Stevenson, Joint Director of Factual and Learning, has decided to
leave the BBC.
For
the last three and a half years he has developed and led the application
to create the BBC's Digital Curriculum. Consent was granted in early
January 2003.
Last
summer, Michael Stevenson held discussions with a potential distribution
partner for the Digital Curriculum.
An
internal inquiry has confirmed that the discussions were impermissible
in the light of ongoing legal proceedings concerning the basis of
the BBC's application for new service consent and prior to the Secretary
of State's decision.
The
BBC apologised in court for this.
Michael
Stevenson said: "I
made an error of judgement and, as a consequence, I have decided
to leave the BBC, taking responsibility for what happened.
"Having
worked so long to create the Digital Curriculum, I am proud that
consent has been achieved and confident of the benefits it will
bring.
"I
have loved my time at the BBC and the chance to work with so many
talented and dedicated people. I am confident the BBC's learning
strategy is now strong and forward-looking."
Greg
Dyke, BBC Director-General, said: "Michael's
decision comes just three weeks after the BBC gained approval for
the Digital Curriculum - principally because of Michael's vision,
commitment and hard work, in extremely complex circumstances, over
a number of years.
"I'd
like to put on record my appreciation of Michael's wider contribution
in putting learning at the heart of the BBC's services.
"Michael
has been criticised in the Digital Curriculum Inquiry report and
has taken the honourable decision to leave the BBC. I respect the
way he has acted in taking this course of action.
"I
am sad that Michael is leaving the BBC and wish him well for the
future."
Notes
to Editors
Settlement
of judicial review proceedings between the BBC and 18 education
software providers (27.01.03)
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