BRITAIN:Marmaduke Hussey, whose 10-year reign as chairman of the BBC was dominated by clashes with the Conservative government of the day, the Labour opposition and his three director generals, has died aged 83.
The corporation's longest-serving leader was a war-veteran-turned-newspaper-manager with impeccable connections.
Patrician bonhomie and friends in high places eased his way through the BBC's travails in the Thatcher years, as liberal broadcasters and Labour MPs attacked him for pandering to the government and seeking to slash jobs, while cabinet ministers criticised the corporation for left-wing bias and waste.
Dramatist Dennis Potter once described him - and protege John Birt - as a "croak-voiced Dalek". Michael Grade, then chief of the UK broadcaster Channel 4, accused the organisation of a "pseudo-Leninist" management style.
Director general Mark Thompson said yesterday he would be remembered "for his great vision, his integrity and his forthrightness, but also for his great personal kindness".
Anthony Salz, acting chairman of the BBC, said on behalf of the board of governors: "Marmaduke Hussey was a distinguished chairman of the BBC. He oversaw rapid change and ensured that the BBC was in a strong position to lead the advent of the internet and digital broadcasting."
Lord Hussey, who suffered lifelong pain after losing a leg with the Grenadier Guards in Italy during the second World War, began as a management trainee at Associated Newspapers. Within 15 years, he was a director of the group. - (Guardian service)