BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchettty has been “reminded of the risk of conflict of interest” following a second instance of moonlighting.
Last month, the 45-year-old hosted a webinar for luxury car maker Aston Martin, explaining how the company was assisting its workers during the coronavirus pandemic. At the time, the BBC said it had reminded Munchetty about the risk of conflict of interest and “discussed the implications” with her.
Now the presenter has been paid to front a series of online interviews with “global leaders from the worlds of business, politics and sport” for banking giant Natwest, including one with former Chancellor Ed Balls (above). The interviews went live this week.
In response, a BBC spokeswoman said: “Since this event, Naga has been reminded of the risk of conflict of interest when undergoing external engagements. We are developing clearer direction in this area as part of our wider work on impartiality and will have more to say on that in due course.”
Munchetty earns up to £195,000 a year for her role on Breakfast, which is produced at MediaCityUK. BBC staff are allowed to conduct outside work so long as they “maintain objectivity and impartiality.”
However, new Director General Tim Davie has warned that there will be a crackdown on stars using their status at the BBC to make money from working for private companies. He said there would be “clearer direction on the declaration of external interests”.
Munchetty’s interviews for Natwest were filmed before Davie’s edict.
