Dear British Broadcasting Corporation,

In February 2014, Chris Cook joined BBC Newsnight from the Financial Times.

Prior to the FT (where Cook was leader writer with a focus on education), numerous publications cite the fact Cook acted as an advisor to Conservative MP David Willets, (whose remit included University/ Education).

On social media, Christopher Cook has denied claims he worked an as advisor to the MP, stating he assisted Willets write a book: 'The Pinch' between 2006-08. https://twitter.com/Gian_TCatt/status/68...

Shortly after Chris Cook joined Newsnight (early February 2014), David Willets was invited to appear on BBC Newsnight (29 February), focussing on University tuition fees, reforms and privatisation of the UK student loan book (i.e. potentially the subject of Cooks former research and advisory role for David Willets).

QUESTIONS:

1. Did Chris Cook declare, when joining the BBC, that he had worked as an advisor (paid or unpaid) to David Willets, and had been in the employ of the Conservative Party?

2. How have the BBC ensured impartiality for licence fee payers, and managed a potential conflict of interest arising from a former advisor to David Willets on education policy, reporting objectively on education policy formation by the same MP as Government Minister?

3. Please confirm if a) Chris Cook contributed towards background research, and or organisation of David Willets Newsnight February 2014 appearance?, and/or b) declared a conflict of interest in doing so?

4. Please provide the earliest conflict of interest form submitted by Chris Cook in 2013/14

5. Please provide Chris Cook's relevant conflict of interest form for the period February 15-29 2014.

6. Please provide the most recent conflict of interest form submitted by Chris Cook.

Yours faithfully,

Joel M Benjamin

Dear British Broadcasting Corporation,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of British Broadcasting Corporation's handling of my FOI request 'Declaration of advisory role for David Willets MP & BBC Newsnight Chris Cook's Conflict of Interest Register'.

In refusing to disclose this information, the BBC has not confirmed if it holds the relevant information requested (namely, Chris Cook's conflict of interest disclosure form).

The BBC is within its rights to "neither confirm, nor deny" it holds this information, yet has not done so.

I concede questions 2 and 3 are "for the purposes of journalism" and are therefore exempt from disclosure.

However, questions 1, 4, 5 and 6 relate to the requirements placed upon individuals employed by the BBC to fully disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest, independent of journalistic research or output.

Chris Cook's online behaviour, namely a series of tweets with Harry Leslie Smith @HarrysLastStand could be perceived to breach BBC guidelines for acceptable online communication by BBC staff.

Harry is openly a Labour supporter, and speaks out against neoliberal economics, and market solutions, notions Chris openly advocates.

In a series of repeated tweets, Chris cast public doubts regarding the origin of tweets from Harry's account, even when the user confirmed it was them tweeting, not an aide, as claimed (un-evidenced) by Chris.

Continued and aggressive online conduct, from a BBC employee, could be perceived to be party political in nature, as Chris was seeking to undermine a Labour party supporter who speaks out against neoliberal free market, notions which Chris, (a Conservative) is known to support.

Independent academic analysis of BBC output across multiple platforms by Professor Mike Berry has shown BBC output to be heavily skewed in favour of neoliberal, pro-business policies, promoted by Conservative politicians. http://theconversation.com/hard-evidence...

This brings me to the Conflict of Interest Disclosure forms, and the need for all BBC staff to act in ways which are, and are viewed to be, impartial.

Relevant ICO guidance confirms there is a legitimate public interest in transparency of the Registered Interests of Public Officials or those whose roles are funded by public expenditure, and that transparency and disclosure in such matters "fosters trust in public authorities."

https://ico.org.uk/media/for-organisatio...

Release of relevant Disclosure Forms would satisfy public concerns that Cook may have failed to disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest, meaning the BBC could not actively manage said conflicts, if they remained unknown.

It is important to clarify that it is the prior employment history and financial interests of the individual that are relevant to public disclosure here, not the individuals personally held, and entirely legitimate political beliefs.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/d...

Yours faithfully,

Joel M Benjamin