House of Lords Debate "Thought for the Day"

12.00.00am GMT Sat 14th Nov 2009

Lib Dem peer Lord Taverne has been criticising the BBC's policy of only allowing religious speakers on Thought For The Day.

On Wednesday 4 November, the House of Lords debated BBC Radio 4's policy of only allowing religious speakers on Thought for the Day.

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Taverne contributed to the debate saying: "In its present form, it seems to be assumed by the BBC that it must be a god slot, reflecting what many churchmen tell us on 'Thought for the Day', that only belief in god provides a basis for morality. This argument does not stand up. ....humanists, who do not believe in a god, have as much right to have a say in a slot about morality as believers."

Lord Birt, former Director-General of the BBC, spoke, saying: "The BBC must one day soon loosen the stranglehold of the established religious organisations and more fully embrace the humanist movement."