Lorcan Mongey

This is a the complete exchange of letters between myself and Andy Parfitt , Controller of Radio 1, and Ian Parkinson, Acting Controller from 1 June to 14 July. This exchange is continuing, and although we don't seem to be getting any closer to Kershaw's reinstatement, I have exposed some holes in the Controller's thinking:

The "guarantee" that Andy Parfitt appeared to give on the Feedback interview that Radio 1 would continue to play the sort of music Kershaw played was not what it appeared to be.
He has admitted in writing that he won't change his mind, apparently revealing that all of our complaints were a complete waste of time. This despite the fact that it's "our BBC", answerable to us.
He claims that he never ignores the views of listeners, despite the fact that some listeners got nothing but a "robot email" saying that Andy Parfitt was out of the office. Do you feel that your views are being ignored?
He claims that the music Kershaw played doesn't appeal to the agegroup that Radio 1 is aimed at, despite the fact that Kershaw has championed young artists like Eliza Carthy, Bill Jones, Trish Murphy, Kate Rusby, Teddy Thompson who actually occupy this very agegroup. He is trying to avoid confirming my assertion that there is now nowhere on Radio 1 where these young artists can be heard.
He has resolutely avoided admitting that moving certain types of music off Radio 1 will effectively deny young listeners any access at all to these types of music, since they are unlikely to catch a Kershaw programme on Radio 3 "by accident".
He has described the response from listeners as "not overwhelming", despite the fact that Kershaw has received over a thousand letters and emails of support, Feedback was "inundated" with complaints, the national press has been universally hostile and an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons deploring the act has attracted cross-party support.
When pressed about what level of response would not be dismissed as "not overwhelming", he has remained silent.

We shouldn't have to put up with this kind of evasion from a commercial company, let alone one that's funded by public money. What it comes down to is that they're not willing to admit that this decision was made in the face of massive opposition, which they're now ignoring. If this makes you angry, feel free to join in by writing another letter to Parfitt and Parkinson. After all, it's your BBC!

Here is the exchange of letters between myself and Parfitt/Parkinson: