When BBC director-general George Entwistle appears before the Culture, Media and Sport select committee today there are key questions that must be asked if the truth is to emerge about why the Newsnight investigation into Jimmy Savile was dropped.
Why was Newsnight's investigation into Jimmy Savile not broadcast?
Why did Mr Entwistle tell staff it was an investigation into Surrey Police's inquiry into Savile, rather than an investigation into allegations that Savile was a paedophile?
Why did Mr Entwistle persist with broadcasting two Christmas programmes in tribute to Savile?
Why were allegations of abuse by Savile that were uncovered by Newsnight journalists not then passed on to police?
If the Newsnight programme was pulled because there was insufficient evidence for the Crown Prosecution Service to bring any charges, why were reporters not given more time to make their investigations?
Did the BBC act on any of the information uncovered by the Newsnight reporters and conduct any internal inquiries into the allegations about Savile? If not, why not?
