James Murdoch last year voiced doubts about whether the new BBC Trust could rein in its "megalomania". This week, he said the jury was still out, but attacked the iPlayer, the BBC's online catch-up service.

BBC Worldwide's acquisition of a guide book business also drew his ire. "It's fair to say that none of us would have thought a month or so ago that Lonely Planet was something that ought to be nationalised, but you're full of surprises in this industry in the UK."