Papers assess Radio 2 resignation

Version 0 of 1.

The BBC offensive phone call row rumbles on across the day's newspapers, with the focus now on the resignation of Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas.

The Daily Mail believes it was the right decision - she recruited Russell Brand and was ultimately responsible for the broadcast, says the paper.

A source tells the Daily Telegraph that allowing Brand and Ross in the same room was a "high-octane risk".

"She should have checked the tapes herself," says the source.

'Disgusting stupidity'

The Sun feels Lesley Douglas is the only person to emerge from the phone controversy with any dignity.

"A brilliant 23-year career... has been ended by the disgusting stupidity of two highly-paid stars", says the paper.

But the Independent sees weakness in the corporation's response to the row. "The BBC bows to its critics (again)" is the headline.

The paper says "it is absurd" Ms Douglas should resign over a decision made "far below her pay grade".

Five million dead

The front page of the Guardian is dominated by a photograph of Congolese villagers fleeing Tutsi rebel militia.

The paper believes the international community's efforts to restore order in eastern Congo have lost credibility.

It says 5m have been killed and 45,000-a-month die through starvation and disease, despite the presence of the world's largest peacekeeping force.

The Daily Telegraph says UN troops must be put in the firing line to have any hope of controlling the conflict.

'Tightest man in Britain'

Finally, the Daily Mirror offers some recession-busting tips from Britain's tightest man, Ray Kidd.

The 50-year-old from Stevenage in Hertfordshire, cheerfully admits rationing toilet paper for his family.

He also dries and reuses teabags, nips to the loo when it is his round and switches off the television when the adverts are on to save electricity.

And he told his children Santa did not exist to avoid buying mince pies to leave out on Christmas Eve.