why are we forced to pay the licence fee? absolute scandal.
Especially when it is used, by those who choose to employ Mackenzie, in such a disgraceful way.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/BBC-Expenses-Executive-Boards-Claims-Published-With-List-Of-Managers-Salaries-Inc-Mark-Thompson/Article/200906415319665?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15319665_BBC_Expenses%3A_Executive_Boards_Claims_Published_With_List_Of_Managers_Salaries_Inc_Mark_ThompsonBBC executives have claimed more than £350,000 in expenses in the last five years, it has been revealed.
The documents showed the BBC's Director General earns a salary of £647,000
The claims include more than £2,000 to fly director general Mark Thompson's family home from holiday in the wake of the Andrew Sachs row.
The salaries of the BBC's 50 top-earning managers were also disclosed - and showed 27 earn more than the Prime Minister's £195,000 salary.
Responding to numerous inquiries under the Freedom of Information Act and general calls for greater transparency, the corporation published thousands of claims.
They revealed executives have been spening public money on luxury hotels, vintage champagne, "thank you" dinners, parties and even a private aeroplane.
Among the £363,085.29 worth of claims filed between 2004 and 2009 were a £100 bottle of bubbly for Bruce Forsyth's 80th birthday, a £1,000 dinner to celebrate Sir Terry Wogan's knighthood and a £400 cake.
Mr Thompson spent £2,236.90 of licence fee payers' money to fly his family home from a holiday in Italy when he was forced to cut the trip short as public anger grew over the lewd messages left by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross on the Fawlty Towers actor's answering machine.
The BBC said the Thompson family were flown economy class and the corporation's audit committee approved the expense.
On the same day - October 30 last year - Mr Thompson also claimed £500 for hotel rooms in the towns of Siracusa and Ragusa in Sicily and a further £206 for what is described in the accompanying notes as "holiday cut short".
In total, Mr Thompson, who earns £647,000 a year, claimed £77,823.35 in expenses over the five years - the most of any BBC executive.
Jana Bennett, who holds creative control of the BBC television output
Ms Bennett claimed £1,300 for hotel
Jana Bennett, director of BBC Vision, who holds creative control of the corporation's television output, claimed a total of just under £60,000 over the period.
This included a £500 claim for the theft of her handbag while on official business, though the BBC said this was paid by the corporation's insurance policy.
She also charged £35 to have her hair styled for a TV interview, nearly £190 for vaccinations ahead of a trip overseas and nearly £2,000 on flowers in the five-year period covered by the documents - including £100 on a bouquet for Jonathan Ross.
Caroline Thomson, the BBC's chief operating officer, said she was "comfortable" with all of the claims.
She said the details were published after 38 FOI requests were made about expenses but insisted there was no "arm twisting".
"We could have done much, much less, we could have done masses of redactions," she said.
"Actually we've done a minimum of redactions."
Ms Thomson, who earns £328,000 a year, claimed nearly £5,000 in expenses last year, including £1,300 on taxis.
Earlier, Mr Thompson said the BBC would publish the total figure paid to top stars in salaries, but said details of individuals' pay would remain confidential.
The salaries and expenses of the BBC's top 100 executives and decision-makers will be published, quarterly, from September, he said.
