Sir Alan Sugar role risk to BBC impartiality

Sir Alan Sugar's dual role as government adviser and star of The Apprentice posed a "greater than normal risk" to the BBC's impartiality in the run up to next year's general election, the corporation's governing body ruled today.

The Conservatives had complained to the BBC that Lord Sugar's appointment could breach corporation rules on impartiality in the lead-up to the vote, which must be called by next May.

But the BBC Trust said the newly-ennobled Lord Sugar's job as government "enterprise champion" would not lead to a direct conflict of interest with his role in The Apprentice providing that strict safeguards were observed.