Monmouth MP David Davies blasted the BBC after its published list of top earners revealed over 200 on the payroll earn more than the Prime Minister.

David Davies slammed the figures showing Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker takes home almost £2m a year in public money, whilst other household names routinely clear sums of over one million pounds.

The Conservative MP also attacked the organisation for shrouding the ‘full story’ on how its highest earners are paid.

“These figures do not tell the full story because some ‘stars’ have payments made to their companies, presumably for tax purposes,” he said.

Mr Davies, who chairs parliament’s cross-party Welsh Affairs Committee, also hit out at perceived ‘arrogance’ at Broadcasting House, after one of its highest paid presenters defended his hefty pay packet by suggesting he could make more money elsewhere.

“Some, like Lineker who is on £1.8million, have arrogantly suggested that they could earn more elsewhere. The BBC and the public who pay the license fee should give them the opportunity to do so.

"It is wrong that a publicly funded organisation is employing 200 people on higher salaries than the Prime Minister.”

The BBC salary list, released today, documented all staff members at the corporation on salaries in excess of £150,000 per year. Chris Evans, Radio 2 DJ and ex-Top Gear presenter, topped the list with a yearly pay packet of £2.2m.

Director-General Tony Hall defended the figures, claiming BBC stars could command ‘much higher’ salaries elsewhere.