BBC boss says corporation's 'culture' allowed Savile to get away with decades of sex abuse and tells Commons Committee the organisation is supporting police with probe into a paedophile ring
Grilling: Director-General George Entwistle has taken his seat in front of the Commons Select Committee where he is being grilled over the Corporation's handling of sex abuse allegations
Committee: BBC Director-General George Entwistle (front left) and Head of BBC Editorial Policy David Jordan (front right) give evidence. Mr Entwistle said the allegations surrounding Savile were of 'great regret'
The head of the BBC has admitted that a 'broad cultural problem' within the Corporation during the 60s and 70s had allowed Jimmy Savile to get away with decades of abusing children.
Director-General George Entwistle made the startling revelation to MPs at a Commons Select Committee where he is being grilled over how the BBC has handled sex abuse allegations against the TV presenter.
In particular he is facing questions over why Newsnight ditched its investigation into Savile's alleged crimes last year and went ahead with tribute programmes dedicated to the late DJ instead.
Mr Entwistle insisted that he didn't think the Corporation had handled the allegations against Savile badly, and claimed the BBC was supporting a police probe into allegations of a paedophile ring.
Dozens of journalists, MPs and lawyers packed into Portcullis House for today's hearing, passing through two security checks - stepped up after News Corporation chief Rupert Murdoch was attacked by a protester with a foam pie last year.
Daily Mail
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