The BBC was gripped by crisis today as a Tory MP became the first politician to suggest that both the Corporation’s director-general George Entwistle and its chairman Lord Patten may have to resign over the Jimmy Savile scandal.
As recriminations flew, there was a growing backlash by presenters against BBC bosses over the treatment of Newsnight editor Peter Rippon for the ditching of an investigation into Savile by the programme.
BBC radio host Victoria Derbyshire tweeted: “If BBC journos/Eds make a poor editorial call (& most of us hve at some point), will they be treated by mgemnt like Peter Rippon has been?” She then re-tweeted comments in response about it being a “stitch-up” if Rippon is the only “casualty”.
Lord Patten was plunged into the controversy after being warned by Culture Secretary Maria Miller that “very real concerns are being raised about public trust and confidence in the BBC” by the scandal and the way that the Corporation was dealing with it.
He responded in a letter, stating: “I know you will not want to give any impression you are questioning the independence of the BBC.” MPs swiftly condemned his defiant stance.
Senior Tory MP Sir Roger Gale — a former producer and director of current affairs programmes for the BBC — said: “If independence means being beyond challenge, then he does not appreciate the very real concern, not only or even within Parliament, but more particularly the public concern.
It is as if your favourite and respectable aunt has been revealed to be on the game and if Lord Patten is not able to grasp that, then I fear that not only the director general but also the chairman of the BBC Trust are going to have to fall on their swords.”
Ex-Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said: “This slightly synthetic spat between Lord Patten and Maria Miller is a damaging and unnecessary distraction from both the BBC and the new Culture Secretary getting on with their jobs.” Mrs Miller said: “These are very serious allegations. It is absolutely right that the Government reflects the deep level of public concern.”
The row escalated after Mr Entwistle came under fire from MPs on the Commons culture, media and sport committee yesterday. He admitted a “culture” at the BBC allowed the late DJ, alleged to have carried out a string of sex assaults on children, to carry on with his appalling behaviour.
Mr Entwistle told the committee between eight and 10 “serious allegations” of sexual misconduct are being investigated by the BBC, including against people who still work for it.
Yesterday it was revealed nine serving employees are under investigation for “serious allegations” of “sexual harassment, assault or inappropriate conduct” as the fallout from the Savile scandal continues.
Arrests are expected soon. The Newsnight programme was pulled as the BBC was set to screen Christmas tributes to Savile last year.
