A former BBC journalist has criticised the cost of Channel 4's move to Leeds, saying he is fed up with the 'political correctness' of moving media organisations away from London.
John Sargeant was the BBC's chief political correspondent between 1992 and 2000 - but more recently worked as a reporter on The One Show.
He says he was often 'sent as far away from London as possible' for the programme and believes it is because TV chiefs are 'fearful of being accused of metropolitan bias'.
He has also claimed that Channel 4's imminent move to Leeds city centre will cost the national broadcaster more than £50 million.
This figure has not been confirmed by Channel 4 itself, but staff are being offered huge incentives to move north from the capital.
He told Radio Times: "A researcher for BBC Breakfast told me recently how nice it would be if I came up to Salford and joined them on their sofa instead of being interviewed down the line from a studio in London.
"Flattering, of course, but I couldn't help thinking that with train tickets and taxis this would involve considerable cost.
"Throughout my career I have marvelled at the way the BBC have put up with demands from the regions, even if that sometimes involves carting people and equipment around the country at great expense.
"The total cost [of Channel 4's move] is expected to be more than £50 million.
"I became increasingly irritated by the demands of 'ABL: Anywhere But London'.
"The policy has been treated as a form of political correctness, with BBC editors fearful of being accused of metropolitan bias."
The BBC decided to move a large part of its operations to MediaCity in Salford in 2004.
Sergeant added: "The political necessity of regional involvement sometimes seems like an expensive form of virtue signalling."
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