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Savile inquiry: BBC Newsnight evidence to go online | Savile inquiry: BBC Newsnight evidence to go online |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Thousands of pages of transcripts from an inquiry into Newsnight's decision to drop its investigation into abuse by Jimmy Savile are set to be published. | Thousands of pages of transcripts from an inquiry into Newsnight's decision to drop its investigation into abuse by Jimmy Savile are set to be published. |
It includes interviews with BBC bosses and journalists, and emails and texts - but some details have been redacted. | It includes interviews with BBC bosses and journalists, and emails and texts - but some details have been redacted. |
A separate Newsnight investigation led to Lord McAlpine being wrongly accused of child abuse - and he has called for all evidence to be published in full. | A separate Newsnight investigation led to Lord McAlpine being wrongly accused of child abuse - and he has called for all evidence to be published in full. |
The Pollard Review concluded Newsnight's decision had been "flawed". | The Pollard Review concluded Newsnight's decision had been "flawed". |
The review was set up by the BBC to decide if there were management failings over the six-week investigation, which was dropped by the BBC's flagship current affairs programme in December 2011. | The review was set up by the BBC to decide if there were management failings over the six-week investigation, which was dropped by the BBC's flagship current affairs programme in December 2011. |
The report, headed by former head of Sky News Nick Pollard and published in December, concluded the decision to shelve the investigation was "seriously flawed" but "done in good faith". | The report, headed by former head of Sky News Nick Pollard and published in December, concluded the decision to shelve the investigation was "seriously flawed" but "done in good faith". |
It dismissed claims it was dropped to protect tribute shows to the DJ, who died aged 84 in October 2011, and who police believe abused hundreds of children and young people over five decades. | It dismissed claims it was dropped to protect tribute shows to the DJ, who died aged 84 in October 2011, and who police believe abused hundreds of children and young people over five decades. |
However, it was highly critical of BBC bosses, describing "chaos and confusion" and "leadership in short supply" - though no evidence of a cover-up - in the wake of the decision to shelve the investigation. | However, it was highly critical of BBC bosses, describing "chaos and confusion" and "leadership in short supply" - though no evidence of a cover-up - in the wake of the decision to shelve the investigation. |
'Secret service' | 'Secret service' |
The BBC accepted its findings in full and the corporation announced a series of staff changes after it was published. | The BBC accepted its findings in full and the corporation announced a series of staff changes after it was published. |
Will the Pollard evidence be remembered more for what's in it or what's been cut out? | |
Ahead of publication, newspapers reported that Jeremy Paxman and Lord McAlpine were both upset that the full evidence was not to be revealed. But another paper said the BBC would be "engulfed" in a mountain of "deeply unedifying" material. | |
The BBC is in a no-win position. If some of the evidence does prove explosive, it will grab the headlines. If it doesn't, the "censorship" will become the story. | |
So why is any of it being withheld? Lord Patten always said some material would be redacted for legal reasons. The BBC says these include protecting the confidentiality of sources or victims of Jimmy Savile, and avoiding the risk of defamation or libel actions. | |
It denies claims that it simply wants to avoid further embarrassing its managers, but that suspicion remains. | |
BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten also pledged at the time of the report's publication that the evidence that had been considered would be published, subject to redactions on legal grounds. | BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten also pledged at the time of the report's publication that the evidence that had been considered would be published, subject to redactions on legal grounds. |
The BBC is expected to publish online about 3,000 pages of emails, interviews and submissions from BBC executives and journalists, including Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman. | The BBC is expected to publish online about 3,000 pages of emails, interviews and submissions from BBC executives and journalists, including Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman. |
BBC media correspondent Torin Douglas says some of the most outspoken comments have been blacked out by lawyers but there will still be much to embarrass the corporation. | BBC media correspondent Torin Douglas says some of the most outspoken comments have been blacked out by lawyers but there will still be much to embarrass the corporation. |
Conservative peer and former party treasurer Lord McAlpine accused the BBC of behaving like the "secret service" by censoring criticism of senior executives. | Conservative peer and former party treasurer Lord McAlpine accused the BBC of behaving like the "secret service" by censoring criticism of senior executives. |
"There's no reason for holding back; what Jeremy Paxman said should be printed. It should be explained to people," he told the Daily Telegraph. | "There's no reason for holding back; what Jeremy Paxman said should be printed. It should be explained to people," he told the Daily Telegraph. |
The peer was falsely accused of child abuse after a BBC Newsnight investigation. He was not named on the programme but was wrongly identified on social media outlets and by some blogs that incorrectly speculated about the person's identity. | The peer was falsely accused of child abuse after a BBC Newsnight investigation. He was not named on the programme but was wrongly identified on social media outlets and by some blogs that incorrectly speculated about the person's identity. |
A report by BBC Scotland director Ken MacQuarrie found Newsnight staff had failed to complete "basic journalistic checks". | A report by BBC Scotland director Ken MacQuarrie found Newsnight staff had failed to complete "basic journalistic checks". |
Another review led by Dame Janet Smith, looking at the culture and practices of the BBC during the years in which Savile worked there, is expected later this year. |