MP Conor Burns’s role will be required viewing (From Bournemouth Echo)

MP Conor Burns’s role will be required viewing

9:00am Saturday 27th October 2012 in Opinion

YOU may see a lot of Conor Burns on television in the coming months.

The MP for Bournemouth West has been appointed to the Commons’ culture, media and sport select committee – which will be considering such topics as phone hacking and the BBC’s reaction to the Jimmy Savile scandal.

It’s the same committee that conducted the inquisitions of the Murdochs and Rebekah Wade and which gave a rough ride this week to BBC director-general George Entwistle.

Select committees are a vital part of our democracy, helping hold the powerful to account. But these days they can seem like a means for some MPs to enjoy the limelight.

So it’s encouraging that Mr Burns has stated that members should go into hearings well-briefed but open- minded. Subjects like the Jimmy Savile case are too important to be used as grist for anyone’s career.