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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Helen Boaden 'steps aside' as head of BBC News | Helen Boaden 'steps aside' as head of BBC News |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The BBC's director of news, Helen Boaden, and her deputy, Stephen Mitchell, have "stepped aside" as the fallout from the Newsnight scandal continues. | The BBC's director of news, Helen Boaden, and her deputy, Stephen Mitchell, have "stepped aside" as the fallout from the Newsnight scandal continues. |
| Newsnight itself appears to be safe for now – ending widespread speculation that it could be axed – with Karen O'Connor, a former deputy editor of the BBC2 programme, returning as acting editor. | Newsnight itself appears to be safe for now – ending widespread speculation that it could be axed – with Karen O'Connor, a former deputy editor of the BBC2 programme, returning as acting editor. |
| The BBC confirmed Boaden and Mitchell were stepping away from day-to-day management of BBC News on Monday morning, as the corporation was also facing widespread criticism after it emerged that George Entwistle, who resigned as director general late on Saturday, will receive a full year's salary of £450,000 in lieu of notice – despite only being in the job for 54 days. | The BBC confirmed Boaden and Mitchell were stepping away from day-to-day management of BBC News on Monday morning, as the corporation was also facing widespread criticism after it emerged that George Entwistle, who resigned as director general late on Saturday, will receive a full year's salary of £450,000 in lieu of notice – despite only being in the job for 54 days. |
| Boaden will be replaced on a temporary basis by by Fran Unsworth, head of the BBC newsroom. The Radio 4 Today programme editor Ceri Thomas will take over Mitchell's deputy role in an acting capacity. | Boaden will be replaced on a temporary basis by by Fran Unsworth, head of the BBC newsroom. The Radio 4 Today programme editor Ceri Thomas will take over Mitchell's deputy role in an acting capacity. |
| Monday's announcement came after Ken MacQuarrie, director of BBC Scotland, reported his findings into the Newsnight story on 2 November that mistakenly linked a Conservative peer to allegations of child sexual abuse | Monday's announcement came after Ken MacQuarrie, director of BBC Scotland, reported his findings into the Newsnight story on 2 November that mistakenly linked a Conservative peer to allegations of child sexual abuse |
| Tim Davie, the acting BBC director general, is expected to set out details of the MacQuarrie report's findings later on Monday, briefing staff and doing broadcast interviews. | |
| In a statement, the BBC said Boaden and Mitchell were stepping aside: "To address the lack of clarity around the editorial chain of command, a decision has been taken to re-establish a single management to deal with all output, Savile related or otherwise." | In a statement, the BBC said Boaden and Mitchell were stepping aside: "To address the lack of clarity around the editorial chain of command, a decision has been taken to re-establish a single management to deal with all output, Savile related or otherwise." |
| "Helen Boaden has decided that she is not in a position to undertake this responsibility until the Pollard review has concluded. | "Helen Boaden has decided that she is not in a position to undertake this responsibility until the Pollard review has concluded. |
| "Consideration is now being given to the extent to which individuals should be asked to account further for their actions and if appropriate, disciplinary action will be taken." | "Consideration is now being given to the extent to which individuals should be asked to account further for their actions and if appropriate, disciplinary action will be taken." |
| Boaden and Mitchell were already "recused" from Savile-related coverage – including the 2 November Newsnight report – because of their involvement in the handling of the BBC2's current affairs programme's abandoned Jimmy Savile sex abuse investigation in late 2011. Former head of Sky News Nick Pollard is leading an inquiry into management's handling of that story. | Boaden and Mitchell were already "recused" from Savile-related coverage – including the 2 November Newsnight report – because of their involvement in the handling of the BBC2's current affairs programme's abandoned Jimmy Savile sex abuse investigation in late 2011. Former head of Sky News Nick Pollard is leading an inquiry into management's handling of that story. |
| The BBC said it wanted to make "absolutely clear" that Boaden and Mitchell had nothing to do with the 2 November Newsnight report. | |
| "Whilst recognising this, the BBC also believes there is a lack of clarity in the lines of command and control in BBC News as a result of some of those caught up in the Pollard review being unable to exercise their normal authority. | |
| "In the circumstances Helen and Stephen will be stepping aside from their normal roles until the Pollard review reports and they expect to then return to their positions." | |
| The BBC's business editor, Robert Peston, reported that Davie believed it was "unfair" to ask Boaden and Mitchell to continue in their day jobs with the shadow of the internal reviews into Newsnight. However, lawyers for Boaden and Mitchell told Davie that they were capable of continuing in their posts, according to Peston. | The BBC's business editor, Robert Peston, reported that Davie believed it was "unfair" to ask Boaden and Mitchell to continue in their day jobs with the shadow of the internal reviews into Newsnight. However, lawyers for Boaden and Mitchell told Davie that they were capable of continuing in their posts, according to Peston. |
| The BBC said O'Connor was returning to Newsnight "to address the pressure" on the programme team. | The BBC said O'Connor was returning to Newsnight "to address the pressure" on the programme team. |
| O'Connor, the BBC head of London factual, is a former Newsnight and Panorama deputy editor, and has also been acting commissioning editor for news and current affairs. | O'Connor, the BBC head of London factual, is a former Newsnight and Panorama deputy editor, and has also been acting commissioning editor for news and current affairs. |
| Senior editors at BBC News will brief their staff at 10am and at 11am there is a TV news departmental meeting to discuss the executive changes and fallout of the Newsnight crisis. | Senior editors at BBC News will brief their staff at 10am and at 11am there is a TV news departmental meeting to discuss the executive changes and fallout of the Newsnight crisis. |
| Under the terms of his contract, Entwistle was entitled to only six months' pay, but the trust said the additional payment had been agreed as a reflection of his continuing involvement with the various BBC inquiries under way. | |
| The move was greeted with anger and disbelief by MPs. The chairman of the Commons culture, media and sport committee, John Whittingdale, said the trust had to explain how it could justify such a large payoff. | |
| "A lot of people will be very surprised that somebody who was in the job for such a short period of time and then had to leave in these circumstances should be walking away with £450,000 of licence fee payers' money," he said. "Certainly I would want to know from the Trust why they think that's appropriate." | |
| Harriet Harman, the shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport, said: "It is not justifiable for the BBC to pay double the contractually required sum to the director general on his resignation. It looks like a reward for failure. | |
| "George Entwistle should decline to accept any more than is required under his contract. This is not the way to restore public confidence in the BBC." | |
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