Further evidence on BBC's response to the Jimmy Savile case
27 November 2012
In its evidence session with the then Director-General George Entwistle, on 23 October, the Committee explored in some depth the background to the dropping of the Newsnight investigation into allegations of child abuse by the television presenter Jimmy Savile.
- Parliament.TV: The BBC's response to the Jimmy Savile case
- Culture, Media and Sport Committee news: Committee questions George Entwistle on the BBC's response to the Jimmy Savile case
Since then, Newsnight broadcast a report on historical allegations of child abuse at children’s homes in Wales, which claimed that two victims had alleged that a leading Conservative politician from the Thatcher era had been among the abusers. Although the alleged abuser was not named in the programme, a name became current on social media because of the indications given in the programme; this identification was later found to be wrong, raising concerns about Newsnight reporting and editorial standards and subsequently leading to the resignation of George Entwistle.
Tim Davie became Acting Director-General following George Entwistle’s resignation on 10 November 2012. Prior to taking up his post, Tim Davie was Director of Audio and Music, a position he was appointed to in September 2008. Lord Patten was appointed Chairman of the BBC Trust on 7 April 2011.
This evidence session will provide the Committee with an opportunity to question the Chairman of the BBC Trust and the Acting Director-General of the BBC about the abandoned Newsnight investigation into Jimmy Savile; the Newsnight report on child abuse connected with North Wales children's homes dating back to the 1970s and 1980s; the severance settlement with Mr Entwistle; and the future of the BBC
Witnesses
At 10.30 am
- Lord Patten, Chairman, BBC Trust
- Tim Davie, Acting Director-General, BBC
Further information
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