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BBC pressured to sack presenters BBC pressured to sack presenters
(about 1 hour later)
The BBC is coming under increased pressure to sack Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross following their prank calls to actor Andrew Sachs.The BBC is coming under increased pressure to sack Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross following their prank calls to actor Andrew Sachs.
His granddaughter Georgina Baillie told the Sun the pair "should at least pay for what they've done with their jobs".His granddaughter Georgina Baillie told the Sun the pair "should at least pay for what they've done with their jobs".
Tory media spokesman Jeremy Hunt will say in a speech that Radio 2 was wrong to approve the material. Tory media spokesman Jeremy Hunt has added to political pressure to find out why Radio 2 approved the material.
The BBC has apologised, and it and the regulator Ofcom are investigating following 10,000 complaints.The BBC has apologised, and it and the regulator Ofcom are investigating following 10,000 complaints.
The corporation and watchdog Ofcom have both launched investigations.
BBC audiences react to the prank calls
Brand and Ross made a series of prank calls to Sachs, 78, famous for his part in Fawlty Towers. The calls were broadcast on Radio 2 as part of a pre-recorded show on 18 October.Brand and Ross made a series of prank calls to Sachs, 78, famous for his part in Fawlty Towers. The calls were broadcast on Radio 2 as part of a pre-recorded show on 18 October.
During the calls, Ross revealed Brand had slept with Sachs' granddaughter.During the calls, Ross revealed Brand had slept with Sachs' granddaughter.
Shadow culture secretary Mr Hunt will say it is "wrong for broadcasters to produce programmes that legitimise negative social behaviour". 'Breach of privacy'
"That is why the BBC was quite wrong to take the decision to broadcast the offensive phone calls", he will say in the speech at the London School of Economics. Mr Hunt will say in a speech to the London School of Economics later that it is "wrong for broadcasters to produce programmes that legitimise negative social behaviour".
He told BBC News the corporation's reaction to the affair was "concerning".
"We still don't know who gave permission for that broadcast to go out.
"It looks like it broke the broadcasting code about not doing things that are offensive and not doing things that breach people's privacy."
Someone high up at the BBC must have decided it was funny and suitable for national radio. They've shown an appalling lack of judgement Georgina BaillieSomeone high up at the BBC must have decided it was funny and suitable for national radio. They've shown an appalling lack of judgement Georgina Baillie
Ms Baillie, 23, said she felt "betrayed" and "embarrassed" the relationship had been publicly revealed to her grandfather.Ms Baillie, 23, said she felt "betrayed" and "embarrassed" the relationship had been publicly revealed to her grandfather.
She said he was "really upset, and says he wants the whole situation to end".She said he was "really upset, and says he wants the whole situation to end".
She added of Brand and Ross: "They are beyond contempt. They are warped for what they have put me and my grandfather through.She added of Brand and Ross: "They are beyond contempt. They are warped for what they have put me and my grandfather through.
"It was bad enough that they recorded these things on my grandfather's answer machine but astonishing the BBC saw fit to broadcast it when they could have stopped it."It was bad enough that they recorded these things on my grandfather's answer machine but astonishing the BBC saw fit to broadcast it when they could have stopped it.
"Someone high up at the BBC must have decided it was funny and suitable for national radio. They've shown an appalling lack of judgement.""Someone high up at the BBC must have decided it was funny and suitable for national radio. They've shown an appalling lack of judgement."
'Risky line''Risky line'
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also criticised the pair for their "inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour" on Brand's radio show.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also criticised the pair for their "inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour" on Brand's radio show.
But Comedian Helen Zaltzman, who ran a comedy club where Brand performed before he became famous, told BBC Radio Five Live it was well-known Brand and Ross "toe a particularly risky line" and said that was why millions of people listened to their Radio 2 shows. Director of audio and music Tim Davie said it was 'too early to speculate'
"I'm sure they regret this trouble. But, I think the reason why Russell Brand is popular is because... he is a liability. Meanwhile, former BBC World Service head John Tusa has called on director general Mark Thompson - who is currently on holiday - to act swiftly to stop "real damage to the BBC".
"He was sacked from MTV, he was sacked from XFM. "Mark Thompson's gotta stand up, you know, and the prime minister is involved and the leader of the opposition is involved.
"This is why people are interested in him as a broadcaster - and why, presumably, he got employed and has a very popular show - about which the majority of people didn't complain." "The director general has got to stand up, early, soon, today, and personally get a grip of the whole issue and get a report very, very fast."
Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, BBC audio and music director Tim Davie said it was "too early to speculate" on whether Brand or Ross would face action.
"We do offer an unreserved apology to Andrew Sachs and his family," he added.
"We do recognise this was an unacceptable broadcast and I am leading an investigation to ascertain the facts."