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Ex-BBC chief Mark Thompson apologises for failed £100 million IT project
LONDON – U.S. media executive Mark Thompson apologised on Monday to the British public and MPs for the failure of a £100 million digital project during his years of running the BBC.
Thompson, who left the publicly funded broadcaster in 2012 to become chief executive at the New York Times Company, said the Digital Media Initiative (DMI) had failed and that meant “the loss of a lot of public money”.
The project, that was meant to allow BBC staff to create, share and store content in a new digital system, was suspended in 2012 and axed last May with a loss of 98.4 million pounds.
The botched DMI project is one of a series of controversies at the BBC that has prompted MPs to grill former and current bosses. Other issues include large severance payments to executives, the handling of a child sex scandal involving former TV host Jimmy Savile, and workplace bullying.
Thompson, who was BBC director general for eight years, said
the DMI failed in many ways, which undermined confidence in the project but he stressed other major technology ventures at the BBC, such as the BBC iPlayer and coverage of the 2012 London Olympics, were successes.
“I want to apologise to you and to the public for the failure of this project,” Thompson told parliament’s Public Accounts Committee as he was quizzed over the project.
He denied misleading parliament in 2011 when he said the project was on track and “out in the business”, receiving very positive feedback from users, saying that is what he had believed.
But he said the quality and timing of information about the project passed to management was “not everything it should have been” and the reaction as red flags were raised was too slow.
“There was an intense amount of activity … but it should have been done more urgently that it was,” he said.
The running of the BBC comes under public scrutiny because the corporation’s funding comes mainly from a 145.50-pound a year licence fee paid by every British household with a television, that raises about 3.7 billion pounds for the BBC.
Political oversight of the BBC, with its annual budget of about 5 billion pounds, has escalated recently, with management called before 18 parliamentary hearings in the past year.
Thompson was called before the Public Accounts Committee last September to testify about severance payments for 150 departing executives described by the committee as excessive.
Britain’s public spending watchdog, the National Audit Office (NAO), last week criticised the BBC Executive Board then headed by Thompson for not having “sufficient grip” on the IT project over an 18-month period or assessing the system to see if it was “technically sound”.
Margaret Hodge, chairwoman of the committee, described the project as a “disaster” with a lack of governance and no one single person overseeing the DMI.
The BBC has admitted it “got this one wrong”.
The BBC’s former chief technician, John Linwood, who was sacked last year after the DMI was scrapped, told the committee there was a “lack of engagement” in the project and that it was behind schedule.
– REUTERS
Former Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Yobe State, promising to tackle insecurity and rebuild the state’s economy.
In a statement released Tuesday following a consultation meeting in the state, the retired police chief said his ambition is driven by a desire to restore peace, strengthen institutions, and accelerate development across all sectors.
Alkali pledged to “wipe out insurgency” and revive economic activities disrupted by years of insecurity, noting that his administration would prioritise intelligence-driven security and community partnerships.
“My vision for Yobe State is clear. I want a state where security is strengthened through intelligence and community partnership. I want a state where farmers can return to their farms with confidence, traders can move freely, and children can go to school without fear,” he said.
The former police boss emphasised his experience in national security management, stating that his years in public service have equipped him with the discipline and strategic thinking needed to govern effectively.
According to him, Yobe State requires leadership that understands security, institutional coordination, and human development, adding that insecurity has significantly hindered growth and deepened poverty in the region.
He also outlined plans to boost agriculture, expand infrastructure, and invest in education and youth empowerment. Alkali promised to provide microcredit support for women and equip young people with technical skills and startup kits to drive commerce and industry.
On healthcare, he pledged to combat child-killer diseases, including polio, and introduce free maternal healthcare services, as well as free medical care for children aged zero to five.
“Mothers will not die during childbirth, and children will live and thrive. They will go to school and graduate in a safe and secure environment,” he assured.
Alkali further stated that his administration would focus on inclusive governance, ensuring development reaches all local government areas without discrimination.
While expressing readiness to build on the achievements of the current administration, he maintained that governance must go beyond rhetoric and propaganda, stressing that it requires “vision, action, and the courage to make tough decisions.”
Bayern Munich have made a strong statement over the future of winger Michael Olise, with Vice-President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisting the club would reject even a €200 million offer for the player.
The comments, reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Monday, highlight Bayern’s long-standing policy of prioritising sporting stability over financial gain.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Chelsea Hit With £10.75m Fine, Transfer Ban
Rummenigge explained that the club’s position is rooted in a historic decision made in 2009, when Bayern received a massive bid from Chelsea for Franck Ribéry.
After internal discussions involving then CFO Karl Hopfner and former president Uli Hoeneß, the club chose to reject the offer — a decision that shaped its modern transfer philosophy.
According to him, that principle remains unchanged today.
He stressed that Bayern do not consider selling players who are essential to the team, adding that even a record-breaking €200 million bid would not change their stance on Olise.
The statement is expected to fuel further transfer speculation across Europe, but Bayern officials maintain that Olise is a key part of their long-term sporting project and not for sale.
Bayern Munich continue to uphold their “untouchable players” policy, while Michael Olise remains central to their squad plans.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) has defended its position following the controversial ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board over the disputed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Moroccan football authority said its appeal was strictly aimed at ensuring the proper application of competition rules, and not to question the sporting merit or performance of any team involved in the final.
The federation emphasized its commitment to fairness, transparency, and the stability of African football competitions, noting that its actions were guided by respect for established regulations.
ALSO READ: JUST IN: Senegal Stuns Hosts Morocco To Lift AFCON 2025 Trophy
“The Federation reiterates that its approach has always been grounded in respect for the rules and stability of African competitions,” the statement read.
FRMF also praised all participating nations in the tournament, describing the 2025 AFCON as a significant milestone in the growth and development of football across the continent.
However, the body revealed that a more detailed position would be made public after a scheduled meeting of its governing organs.
The statement is expected to further clarify Morocco’s stance and outline any possible legal or administrative steps moving forward.
The CAF Appeal Board’s decision has continued to generate widespread reactions among football stakeholders, with growing calls for clearer regulations, improved transparency, and consistency in the administration of African football.
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