By Benedict Brogan Politics Last updated: November 25th, 2010 At 8am the Today programme led on the news of the Government’s £8billion ‘investment’ in new rail projects. And the BBC 6 o’clock news just kicked off with…the Government’s £8bn ‘investment’ in new rail projects. All day it’s been a trainspotter’s fiesta on BBC outlets. And why not you say? The railways keep us moving, we are about to pay a lot more in fares, and we are a nation of railway buffs at heart. Me, I’m not so sure. Why? Because I know that Andy Coulson has for some time been privately complaining about the exuberance with which the BBC has been reporting cuts. He has raised the issue formally with the BBC, and with good cause. There’s a special logo, groovy graphics featuring a street sweeper, a website, promos from Nick Robinson and others, along with plenty of reporting – legitimate of ourse – about the spending review and the cuts to come. I wonder if the BBC’s sudden passion for rail spending shows that Mr Coulson has scored a significant success by getting the corporation to accept a new ground rule – report the cuts, by all means, but when the Government spends money, give that announcement equal prominence.Benedict Brogan
Benedict Brogan is the Daily Telegraph's Deputy Editor. His blog brings you news, gossip, analysis and occasional insight into politics, and more. You can find his weekly columns here and you can email him atbenedict.brogan@telegraph.co.uk.
Has Andy Coulson got to the BBC?