Moira Stuart’s skills as a newsreader have become redundant in the modern age, the BBC’s Director-General told MPs yesterday, in response to calls to reinstate the popular broadcaster.

MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee questioned whether Mark Thompson was “mad” to axe Ms Stuart, given the outcry over her removal from screens.

David Dimbleby, John Humphrys and Sir Trevor McDonald spoke in support of Ms Stuart, 55, whose departure from newsreading prompted accusations that the BBC was sexist and ageist.

Mr Thompson said that Ms Stuart was a very valued member of staff who was much loved by colleagues and the public. But he added that Ms Stuart was originally an actress-turned-continuity announcer and different journalistic skills were now required.

Mr Thompson said: “BBC News, News 24 and the radio networks have changed over the years and the traditional role of the newsreader, as opposed to a correspondent or presenter, has virtually died out across the services.”

Citing the example of the 10 O’Clock Newsand BBC Breakfast News, he said: “We tend to use journalists to read the news headlines.”

Huw Edwards, the Ten O’Clock News presenter, is a former BBC parliamentary correspondent who conducts live interviews and writes his own headlines. Sophie Raworth, the One O’Clock Newspresenter, began her BBC career as a local news reporter.

Ms Stuart became Britain’s first woman Afro-Caribbean newsreader in 1981. She was removed from her berth on the Sunday AM BBC One political programme. Mr Thompson denied that “sexism, racism or ageism” played any part in the decision.

He added: “When she does programmes beyond the news — she did that quite brilliant programme on William Wilberforce [antislavery campaigner] — she shows her range of talents.” The BBC was discussing new projects with her, he said.

But the committee was not impressed. Nigel Evans, Conservative MP, replied: “If this is how you treat someone that’s much loved, I’d hate to see how you treat someone you don’t like.”

He asked whether the new BBC Trust had anything to say about the “appalling” decision. “Has anyone telephoned you to say ‘Are you mad? Moira Stuart is one of the most popular newsreaders in the BBC’.”

Mr Thompson told the committee: “The right thing to do as a good employer is to work with Moira to work out what’s right for her.”

He later told the committee that the decision to ask a child visiting the Blue Peter studio to pose as the winning contestant on a competition had been an abuse of public trust and “a serious mistake”.

Mr Thompson said that there was still no information about the whereabouts of Alan Johnston, the kidnapped correspondent.

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