MAIL Online: Dozens of BBC personalities face investigation after it emerged that they are earning thousands of pounds a time through public speaking engagements.
This is in spite of the corporation's attempts to restrict such activity.
Newsreaders Fiona Bruce and Huw Edwards, Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis and Today programme hosts John Humphreys, Evan Davis and Edward Stourton are among the stars on the books of JLA, Britain's largest after-dinner speaking agency.
Business editor Robert Peston, royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell, and newsreaders George Alagiah and Kate Silverton are also available for hire.
The agency classes Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman, who costs 'over £25,000 to hire', as 'double A'.
Mr Edwards, Andrew Marr and BBC world affair's editor John Simpson all cost between £10,000 and £25,000 and are in category A.
Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster told the Sunday Telegraph that he would refer the matter to the BBC Trust, and said it should be viewed 'as a matter of urgency'.
Editorial guidelines for BBC staff state: 'It is unlikely to be acceptable for any BBC staff member or BBC correspondent to be included on an agency list of those for hire for public speeches.
'Under no circumstances should they sign up with an external agency for public speaking without the written permission of the relevant Head of Department.'
Under the guidelines, BBC reporters and presenters, including freelance staff, are forbidden from appearing in public to promote external commercial organisations. BBC Stars 'in Breach of Rules by Earning Thousands of Pounds on the Public-speaking Circuit' >>> By Daily Mail Reporter | Sunday, March 29, 2009
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