Rishi Sunak is set to scrap the privatisation of Channel 4 in a yet another Tory U-turn.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson had planned to sell-off the station after 40 years of public ownership.
In a leaked letter, Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan told Sunak she does not support the controversial proposal.
She said: "After reviewing the business case, I have concluded that pursuing a sale at this point is not the right decision. There are better ways to secure Channel 4 Television Corporation (C4C)’s sustainability and that of the UK independent production sector."
The letter prompted a furious backlash from former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, who had enthusiastically backed the sell-off.
The Tory MP, one of Boris Johnson’s most loyal allies, accused Rishi Sunak of U-turning or abandoning key parts of the former prime minister’s agenda as she warned that it would now be “almost impossible to face the electorate” at the next general election.
The letter prompted a furious backlash from former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, who had enthusiastically backed the sell-off.
The Tory MP, one of Boris Johnson’s most loyal allies, accused Rishi Sunak of U-turning or abandoning key parts of the former prime minister’s agenda as she warned that it would now be “almost impossible to face the electorate” at the next general election.
Sunak is blamed by allies of Johnson for playing a key role in the former prime minister’s downfall last summer, after resigning as chancellor. Dorries has not been shy since about making her feelings known about her new party leader.
She wrote on Twitter: "Three years of a progressive Tory government being washed down the drain. Levelling up, dumped. Social care reform, dumped. Keeping young and vulnerable people safe online, watered down. A bonfire of EU leg, not happening. Sale of C4 giving back £2b reversed. Replaced with what?”
Lib Dem MP Jamie Stone said: "The threat to sell off Channel 4 was nothing more than a rash and reckless push from a Government that is well and truly out of ideas.
"The taxpayer cannot afford to have their money squandered every time a new Cabinet member comes up with another impetuous vanity project. It’s time for ministers to come clean on exactly how much taxpayers' money was wasted on these pointless and divisive plans.”
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
