Andrew Neil has admitted he earns more than the Prime Minister, and would be happy for his BBC salary to be revealed as long as the number of programmes on which he appears every year is also taken into consideration.
The political broadcaster addressed the recent request by the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee that BBC stars who earn more than the PM's £143,000 salary should be forced to publish their salaries.
He told Radio Times: “I have no problem with that at all. I'd only put in one caveat, which is that next to the salary they should put the number of programmes we do every year.”
Neil, the former editor of the Sunday Times, confirmed his name would appear on a list of those earning more than the PM if one was published.
The Daily Politics, Sunday Politics and This Week host added: “But if you divide my pay by the number of shows I do, I'm pretty far down the pecking order.
“I do almost 180 programmes a year - more than almost anybody else in the political sphere.”
The Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee last week said there is “no good reason” for performers, presenters and executives to “hide” their pay if they earn more than the Prime Minister.
Acting committee chairman Damian Collins said it is “disingenuous” for the BBC to claim it needs confidentiality to prevent talent poaching by rival channels.
Neil, 67, also said that he “surprised” himself by getting married last year to Susan Nilsson, an engineer.
He said that “life hasn't actually changed at all” since their wedding in August because they were “used to each other” after a five-year relationship.
Read the full interview in this week's issue of Radio Times.
PA
