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| Savile report: Tony Blackburn said BBC 'hung me out to dry' | Savile report: Tony Blackburn said BBC 'hung me out to dry' |
| (6 months later) | |
| 3.01pm GMT | 3.01pm GMT |
| 15:01 | 15:01 |
| We’re going to pause the blog for now. Here’s a summary of what we know: | We’re going to pause the blog for now. Here’s a summary of what we know: |
| 3.00pm GMT | 3.00pm GMT |
| 15:00 | 15:00 |
| Sandra Laville | Sandra Laville |
| The BBC can take depressing comfort from overwhelming evidence that it was not and is not alone in its failure, writes Sandra Laville. | The BBC can take depressing comfort from overwhelming evidence that it was not and is not alone in its failure, writes Sandra Laville. |
| The Church of England, the Catholic church, leading private schools, local authorities in Oxford, Rotherham, Rochdale, Derby, the police service and numerous other institutions in British public life have all exhibited these same traits. | The Church of England, the Catholic church, leading private schools, local authorities in Oxford, Rotherham, Rochdale, Derby, the police service and numerous other institutions in British public life have all exhibited these same traits. |
| When a senior police officer first revealed the scale of Savile’s offending three years ago he noted the entertainer had been “hiding in plain sight” for decades. But the likes of Jimmy Savile, albeit of varying degrees of recidivism, have been hiding in plain sight across many British institutions and within society for years. | When a senior police officer first revealed the scale of Savile’s offending three years ago he noted the entertainer had been “hiding in plain sight” for decades. But the likes of Jimmy Savile, albeit of varying degrees of recidivism, have been hiding in plain sight across many British institutions and within society for years. |
| We have seen how the establishment, from the then archbishop of Canterbury down, wrote letters of support in 1993 for Church of England bishop Peter Ball when he was first accused of sexual abuse – an intervention which might or might not have led to the decision not to prosecute him then. | We have seen how the establishment, from the then archbishop of Canterbury down, wrote letters of support in 1993 for Church of England bishop Peter Ball when he was first accused of sexual abuse – an intervention which might or might not have led to the decision not to prosecute him then. |
| We have witnessed the repeated failures of police and prosecutors to bring Greville Janner to justice while he was alive and we have noted with alarm how the authorities in ordinary British towns such as Rotherham, Oxford and Derby – to name just a few – treated vulnerable young girls as consenting adults and refused to believe their allegations of horrific sexual abuse. | We have witnessed the repeated failures of police and prosecutors to bring Greville Janner to justice while he was alive and we have noted with alarm how the authorities in ordinary British towns such as Rotherham, Oxford and Derby – to name just a few – treated vulnerable young girls as consenting adults and refused to believe their allegations of horrific sexual abuse. |
| If reading Smith’s report is shocking, be prepared to be further shocked in the months and years to come as Judge Lowell Goddard opens public hearings investigating up to 25 British institutions over their failures to tackle child abuse and sexual exploitation. | If reading Smith’s report is shocking, be prepared to be further shocked in the months and years to come as Judge Lowell Goddard opens public hearings investigating up to 25 British institutions over their failures to tackle child abuse and sexual exploitation. |
| 2.51pm GMT | 2.51pm GMT |
| 14:51 | 14:51 |
| The BBC is being of deliberately sacking Tony Blackburn to try to deflect attention from Smith’s report. | The BBC is being of deliberately sacking Tony Blackburn to try to deflect attention from Smith’s report. |
| The broadcaster and former Daily Mirror editor tweeted: “Looks to me like BBC have fried Tony Blackburn to distract attention from its own Savile failings.” | The broadcaster and former Daily Mirror editor tweeted: “Looks to me like BBC have fried Tony Blackburn to distract attention from its own Savile failings.” |
| Looks to me like BBC have fried Tony Blackburn to distract attention from its own Savile failings: https://t.co/f4UFR9IFwh | Looks to me like BBC have fried Tony Blackburn to distract attention from its own Savile failings: https://t.co/f4UFR9IFwh |
| Asked if she thought the sacking was deliberately timed, broadcaster Nina Myskow told BBC Radio 2: “I think it’s absolutely deliberate. Tony Hall has fallen in my estimation, I think it’s utterly scandalous.” | Asked if she thought the sacking was deliberately timed, broadcaster Nina Myskow told BBC Radio 2: “I think it’s absolutely deliberate. Tony Hall has fallen in my estimation, I think it’s utterly scandalous.” |
| She described Blackburn as “a thoroughly decent, upstanding man”, adding: “I mean, the only crime he’s been capable of as far as I’m concerned is duff jokes and dodgy hair.” | She described Blackburn as “a thoroughly decent, upstanding man”, adding: “I mean, the only crime he’s been capable of as far as I’m concerned is duff jokes and dodgy hair.” |
| Blackburn also accused the BBC of trying to divert attention. In his second statement he said: “Sadly, today’s news agenda should have been about the survivors of abuse carried out within the BBC but, by sacking me, they have managed to take the focus off those who have suffered so much.” | Blackburn also accused the BBC of trying to divert attention. In his second statement he said: “Sadly, today’s news agenda should have been about the survivors of abuse carried out within the BBC but, by sacking me, they have managed to take the focus off those who have suffered so much.” |
| 2.37pm GMT | 2.37pm GMT |
| 14:37 | 14:37 |
| The 1971 allegation, which Tony Blackburn has strenuously denied, was that he “seduced” teenager Claire McAlpine after inviting her back to his flat following a recording of Top Of The Pops, PA reminds us. | The 1971 allegation, which Tony Blackburn has strenuously denied, was that he “seduced” teenager Claire McAlpine after inviting her back to his flat following a recording of Top Of The Pops, PA reminds us. |
| In an earlier statement, Blackburn said he had been told that the girl’s mother told the BBC, a few weeks after her initial complaint, that Claire had withdrawn the allegation. | In an earlier statement, Blackburn said he had been told that the girl’s mother told the BBC, a few weeks after her initial complaint, that Claire had withdrawn the allegation. |
| Blackburn also said Dame Janet’s report made no suggestion that he was guilty of misconduct with the teenager, nor did a coroner’s inquest or a subsequent police inquiry into her death after she took her own life. | Blackburn also said Dame Janet’s report made no suggestion that he was guilty of misconduct with the teenager, nor did a coroner’s inquest or a subsequent police inquiry into her death after she took her own life. |
| But Lord Hall said the corporation had “parted company” with Blackburn, referred to as A7 in the report, because of his evidence to the inquiry. | But Lord Hall said the corporation had “parted company” with Blackburn, referred to as A7 in the report, because of his evidence to the inquiry. |
| Asked why the BBC sacked the DJ, Lord Hall said: “So many survivors and witnesses have honestly and openly co-operated fully and at great personal cost to themselves. | Asked why the BBC sacked the DJ, Lord Hall said: “So many survivors and witnesses have honestly and openly co-operated fully and at great personal cost to themselves. |
| “As Dame Janet has said, she’s rejected his evidence, and she has explained very clearly why. | “As Dame Janet has said, she’s rejected his evidence, and she has explained very clearly why. |
| “I have to take that extremely seriously. My interpretation of that is that Tony Blackburn fell short of the standards of evidence that such an inquiry demanded. | “I have to take that extremely seriously. My interpretation of that is that Tony Blackburn fell short of the standards of evidence that such an inquiry demanded. |
| Hall said paragraphs in the report showed Blackburn was interviewed twice by Bill Cotton and Sir Brian Neill over complaints from the mother of Claire McAlpine who committed suicide after claiming she was abused. | Hall said paragraphs in the report showed Blackburn was interviewed twice by Bill Cotton and Sir Brian Neill over complaints from the mother of Claire McAlpine who committed suicide after claiming she was abused. |
| And yet when interviewed by Dame Janet, Blackburn denied these interviewed had taken place, Hall said. “My view is that given the importance of this investigation and the weight of responsibility of everyone to work fully and frankly with Dame Janet’s review, I felt it was untenable for the BBC to continue its relationship [with Blackburn] because of that.” | And yet when interviewed by Dame Janet, Blackburn denied these interviewed had taken place, Hall said. “My view is that given the importance of this investigation and the weight of responsibility of everyone to work fully and frankly with Dame Janet’s review, I felt it was untenable for the BBC to continue its relationship [with Blackburn] because of that.” |
| In Dame Janet’s report, she said: “For the sake of completeness, I should make it clear at this stage that I have not attempted to make any judgment about the allegation involving A7 and Claire McAlpine. | In Dame Janet’s report, she said: “For the sake of completeness, I should make it clear at this stage that I have not attempted to make any judgment about the allegation involving A7 and Claire McAlpine. |
| “The question does not fall within my terms of reference. My legitimate interest in this matter relates only to what can be inferred about the BBC’s culture and practices from the way in which the matter was investigated by the BBC.” | “The question does not fall within my terms of reference. My legitimate interest in this matter relates only to what can be inferred about the BBC’s culture and practices from the way in which the matter was investigated by the BBC.” |
| 2.23pm GMT | 2.23pm GMT |
| 14:23 | 14:23 |
| Kevin Rawlinson | Kevin Rawlinson |
| News website Exaro was criticised as “irresponsible” for publishing an early draft of Dame Janet Smith’s report, writes Kevin Rawlinson. | News website Exaro was criticised as “irresponsible” for publishing an early draft of Dame Janet Smith’s report, writes Kevin Rawlinson. |
| Smith said the site’s story had led to the identification of people she had agreed should remain anonymous and that its publication was “entirely unjustified”. | Smith said the site’s story had led to the identification of people she had agreed should remain anonymous and that its publication was “entirely unjustified”. |
| “Exaro’s decision appears to have been taken for its own commercial gain without any thought for the interests of the many victims of Savile or the integrity of the reporting process,” Smith’s report read. | “Exaro’s decision appears to have been taken for its own commercial gain without any thought for the interests of the many victims of Savile or the integrity of the reporting process,” Smith’s report read. |
| Addressing reporters as she announced the release of her review, Smith said the site had been irresponsible. | Addressing reporters as she announced the release of her review, Smith said the site had been irresponsible. |
| Exaro ran leaked extracts of a draft of Smith’s BBC-commissioned report into whether the culture and practices of the broadcaster allowed Savile to get away with decades of sexual abuse. | Exaro ran leaked extracts of a draft of Smith’s BBC-commissioned report into whether the culture and practices of the broadcaster allowed Savile to get away with decades of sexual abuse. |
| It published a series of stories on 20 January revealing many of the criticisms levelled at the BBC in those drafts. In an article published at the time, the website said it felt its reports were in the public interest. | It published a series of stories on 20 January revealing many of the criticisms levelled at the BBC in those drafts. In an article published at the time, the website said it felt its reports were in the public interest. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.24pm GMT | at 2.24pm GMT |
| 2.12pm GMT | 2.12pm GMT |
| 14:12 | 14:12 |
| Mona Mahmood | Mona Mahmood |
| Savile or سافل is a word in Arabic meaning filthy, raffish and immoral, notes the Guardian’s Mona Mahmood. | Savile or سافل is a word in Arabic meaning filthy, raffish and immoral, notes the Guardian’s Mona Mahmood. |
| It translates to most bad words you can think of, she says. | It translates to most bad words you can think of, she says. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.13pm GMT | at 2.13pm GMT |
| 2.02pm GMT | 2.02pm GMT |
| 14:02 | 14:02 |
| Blackburn repeats threat to sue BBC | Blackburn repeats threat to sue BBC |
| Tony Blackburn said the BBC has “hung me out to dry” and repeated his threat to sue the corportion. | Tony Blackburn said the BBC has “hung me out to dry” and repeated his threat to sue the corportion. |
| In a new statement he said: | In a new statement he said: |
| “I have listened to what has been said by Tony Hall and others today in connection with the publication of the Dame Janet Smith Report. | “I have listened to what has been said by Tony Hall and others today in connection with the publication of the Dame Janet Smith Report. |
| “I repeat what I told Dame Janet when I voluntary gave evidence to assist her and the BBC. What I said in my earlier statement regarding the alleged meetings with Brian Neill QC and Bill Cotton Junior 45 years ago still stands. | “I repeat what I told Dame Janet when I voluntary gave evidence to assist her and the BBC. What I said in my earlier statement regarding the alleged meetings with Brian Neill QC and Bill Cotton Junior 45 years ago still stands. |
| “Given Dame Janet Smith’s concerns of a culture of fear in coming forward at the BBC, the fact that I have been scapegoated for giving my honest account and best recollections of those events 45 years ago - which I felt was a whitewash - what whistleblower at the BBC would ever come forward when they see the way they have hung me out to dry. | “Given Dame Janet Smith’s concerns of a culture of fear in coming forward at the BBC, the fact that I have been scapegoated for giving my honest account and best recollections of those events 45 years ago - which I felt was a whitewash - what whistleblower at the BBC would ever come forward when they see the way they have hung me out to dry. |
| “Sadly today’s news agenda should have been about the survivors of abuse carried out within the BBC but, by sacking me, they have managed to take the focus off those who have suffered so much. | “Sadly today’s news agenda should have been about the survivors of abuse carried out within the BBC but, by sacking me, they have managed to take the focus off those who have suffered so much. |
| “My lawyers are now considering all statements made by the BBC about me today and we will be taking action.” | “My lawyers are now considering all statements made by the BBC about me today and we will be taking action.” |
| Here’s his statement from last night. | Here’s his statement from last night. |
| pic.twitter.com/24vIvPh464 | pic.twitter.com/24vIvPh464 |
| 1.51pm GMT | 1.51pm GMT |
| 13:51 | 13:51 |
| Here’s a summary of what we know: | Here’s a summary of what we know: |
| 1.32pm GMT | 1.32pm GMT |
| 13:32 | 13:32 |
| Victims' lawyer dismisses 'expensive whitewash' | Victims' lawyer dismisses 'expensive whitewash' |
| A lawyer for the victims of Savile and Stuart Hall has dismissed Smith’s report as an “an expensive whitewash”. | A lawyer for the victims of Savile and Stuart Hall has dismissed Smith’s report as an “an expensive whitewash”. |
| In a statement Liz Dux, a specialist abuse lawyer at Slater and Gordon Lawyers, who represents 168 victims, said: | In a statement Liz Dux, a specialist abuse lawyer at Slater and Gordon Lawyers, who represents 168 victims, said: |
| “All the Savile and Hall victims have ever wanted from this report is truth and accountability. | “All the Savile and Hall victims have ever wanted from this report is truth and accountability. |
| “Despite millions having been spent on the inquiry, my clients will feel let down that the truth has still not been unearthed and many will feel it is nothing more than an expensive whitewash. | “Despite millions having been spent on the inquiry, my clients will feel let down that the truth has still not been unearthed and many will feel it is nothing more than an expensive whitewash. |
| “It is unfortunate that Dame Janet had no power to compel senior managers to give evidence, giving the impression that the whole picture of who knew what has not been revealed. | “It is unfortunate that Dame Janet had no power to compel senior managers to give evidence, giving the impression that the whole picture of who knew what has not been revealed. |
| “With 117 witnesses giving evidence of concerns and rumours, it’s implausible to suggest that this did not reach the upper echelons of the BBC. | “With 117 witnesses giving evidence of concerns and rumours, it’s implausible to suggest that this did not reach the upper echelons of the BBC. |
| “What’s apparent is that the senior managers only had to scratch at the very surface and a lot of Savile’s offending would have been revealed. | “What’s apparent is that the senior managers only had to scratch at the very surface and a lot of Savile’s offending would have been revealed. |
| “There is real concern that the culture of fear and oppression referred to might have prevented more from speaking out more candidly and still exists today.” | “There is real concern that the culture of fear and oppression referred to might have prevented more from speaking out more candidly and still exists today.” |
| Dame Janet Smith’s report found “no evidence” senior BBC staff knew about abuse by #Savile https://t.co/HL4yrZLqr7 pic.twitter.com/5tERY5ht94 | Dame Janet Smith’s report found “no evidence” senior BBC staff knew about abuse by #Savile https://t.co/HL4yrZLqr7 pic.twitter.com/5tERY5ht94 |
| Smith insisted her report was not a whitewash. She said that as a judge she needed evidence, not rumours, that senior BBC managers knew about Savile’s abuse. | Smith insisted her report was not a whitewash. She said that as a judge she needed evidence, not rumours, that senior BBC managers knew about Savile’s abuse. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.05pm GMT | at 2.05pm GMT |
| 1.08pm GMT | 1.08pm GMT |
| 13:08 | 13:08 |
| Radio station stands by Blackburn | Radio station stands by Blackburn |
| Mark Sweney | Mark Sweney |
| Kent radio station Kmfm has said it is standing by Tony Blackburn, who hosts a weekly show, despite the BBC choosing to fire him, writes Mark Sweney. “Kmfm will be supporting Tony Blackburn fully and will be continuing his broadcast contract,” said a spokesman for the station. “His show will air as normal this Sunday between 4pm-7pm on our stations. He is a great asset, a fantastic broadcaster and someone we are proud to work with”. | Kent radio station Kmfm has said it is standing by Tony Blackburn, who hosts a weekly show, despite the BBC choosing to fire him, writes Mark Sweney. “Kmfm will be supporting Tony Blackburn fully and will be continuing his broadcast contract,” said a spokesman for the station. “His show will air as normal this Sunday between 4pm-7pm on our stations. He is a great asset, a fantastic broadcaster and someone we are proud to work with”. |
| Mark and Kevin Rawlinson have more on Blackburn ‘parting company’ with the BBC. | Mark and Kevin Rawlinson have more on Blackburn ‘parting company’ with the BBC. |
| 1.05pm GMT | 1.05pm GMT |
| 13:05 | 13:05 |
| Jamie Grierson | Jamie Grierson |
| Esther Rantzen said she is doubtful that positive changes in the media industry will result from Smith report, writes Jamie Grierson. | Esther Rantzen said she is doubtful that positive changes in the media industry will result from Smith report, writes Jamie Grierson. |
| Rantzen told the Guardian: “I am pessimistic. The most recent case of sexual harassment I know about was another broadcaster, an independent broadcaster, but again it was someone who was ‘Talent’, and therefore the young woman felt she couldn’t complain or ask for help. | Rantzen told the Guardian: “I am pessimistic. The most recent case of sexual harassment I know about was another broadcaster, an independent broadcaster, but again it was someone who was ‘Talent’, and therefore the young woman felt she couldn’t complain or ask for help. |
| “I think it happens when it’s a banker or a judge, we know this week abishop convicted of terrible offences. Gang leaders in Rotherham.“Power, we know corrupts, but it appears it also prevents those whoare vulnerable from speaking out.” | “I think it happens when it’s a banker or a judge, we know this week abishop convicted of terrible offences. Gang leaders in Rotherham.“Power, we know corrupts, but it appears it also prevents those whoare vulnerable from speaking out.” |
| “There are very crucial lessons to be learned and maybe one of thelessons is for parents. Make sure young people don’t get dazzled bythe glitz of fame or fortune, to think the people they’ve admired fromafar are actual trustworthy.”Asked if the BBC’s promises will make a difference, Rantzen said: | “There are very crucial lessons to be learned and maybe one of thelessons is for parents. Make sure young people don’t get dazzled bythe glitz of fame or fortune, to think the people they’ve admired fromafar are actual trustworthy.”Asked if the BBC’s promises will make a difference, Rantzen said: |
| “We’re all vulnerable to it. It’s in our DNA to admire iconic figuresbut we have to as parents make sure we protect our children, andorganisations that build up people to status of stars have to be awarethat safeguards must be put in place. | “We’re all vulnerable to it. It’s in our DNA to admire iconic figuresbut we have to as parents make sure we protect our children, andorganisations that build up people to status of stars have to be awarethat safeguards must be put in place. |
| “It sounds like a dry set of policies but they’re practical and doprotect children and young people.” | “It sounds like a dry set of policies but they’re practical and doprotect children and young people.” |
| 12.58pm GMT | 12.58pm GMT |
| 12:58 | 12:58 |
| Here are tables about the abuse by Stuart Hall during his time at the BBC. | Here are tables about the abuse by Stuart Hall during his time at the BBC. |
| 12.53pm GMT | 12.53pm GMT |
| 12:53 | 12:53 |
| PA has more reaction from ChildLine founder Esther Rantzen. | PA has more reaction from ChildLine founder Esther Rantzen. |
| “Celebrity has cast a spell over everyone” and that youngsters need to be told that “fame isn’t a guarantee of virtue”, it quotes her saying. | “Celebrity has cast a spell over everyone” and that youngsters need to be told that “fame isn’t a guarantee of virtue”, it quotes her saying. |
| Rantzen added: | Rantzen added: |
| “It’s not new really, you have had demagogues, leaders, monarchs, all sorts of people who have been like magicians and I’m afraid that the media have done this to stars of reality shows, disc jockeys, all sorts of people. | “It’s not new really, you have had demagogues, leaders, monarchs, all sorts of people who have been like magicians and I’m afraid that the media have done this to stars of reality shows, disc jockeys, all sorts of people. |
| “I don’t know quite how you protect people from it. I would suggest that when a child says his or her ambition is to be rich and famous, somebody somewhere needs to point out that sometimes there are feet of clay, and that fame isn’t a guarantee of virtue, goodness, (or) kindness. | “I don’t know quite how you protect people from it. I would suggest that when a child says his or her ambition is to be rich and famous, somebody somewhere needs to point out that sometimes there are feet of clay, and that fame isn’t a guarantee of virtue, goodness, (or) kindness. |
| “The tragedy that someone, somewhere appointed Jimmy Savile to present a programme (Jim’ll Fix It) in which he was supposed to be humane, good, kind, (and) generous to all the children that came near - that is a terrible irony and it must not be repeated.” | “The tragedy that someone, somewhere appointed Jimmy Savile to present a programme (Jim’ll Fix It) in which he was supposed to be humane, good, kind, (and) generous to all the children that came near - that is a terrible irony and it must not be repeated.” |
| “I think there have been some good results, both of the revelations about Savile and this report, because I do think that survivors of abuse do feel more able to come forward, talk about what’s happened to them, recognise it was not their fault, and that their disclosures will be investigated.” | “I think there have been some good results, both of the revelations about Savile and this report, because I do think that survivors of abuse do feel more able to come forward, talk about what’s happened to them, recognise it was not their fault, and that their disclosures will be investigated.” |
| 12.47pm GMT | 12.47pm GMT |
| 12:47 | 12:47 |
| Here’s video of Tony Hall confirming that the BBC sacked Tony Blackburn. | Here’s video of Tony Hall confirming that the BBC sacked Tony Blackburn. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.47pm GMT | at 12.47pm GMT |
| 12.46pm GMT | 12.46pm GMT |
| 12:46 | 12:46 |
| Esther Rantzen, the former BBC presenter and founder of Childline, said she took her own children to see Savile’s Jim’ll Fix It show despite knowing the rumours about her colleague. | Esther Rantzen, the former BBC presenter and founder of Childline, said she took her own children to see Savile’s Jim’ll Fix It show despite knowing the rumours about her colleague. |
| “I took my own children to Jim’ll Fix It, I would never have put them at risk if I thought there was a serious danger there,” she told BBC News. | “I took my own children to Jim’ll Fix It, I would never have put them at risk if I thought there was a serious danger there,” she told BBC News. |
| But Rantzen said he she heard rumours about Savile since she started working as a researcher at the BBC in early 1970s. | But Rantzen said he she heard rumours about Savile since she started working as a researcher at the BBC in early 1970s. |
| “But as Dame Janet said, there is a real difference between rumour and gossip and evidence,” Rantzen said. “The problem was that throughout my career at the BBC I never heard anyone disclosing that Jimmy had abused them.” | “But as Dame Janet said, there is a real difference between rumour and gossip and evidence,” Rantzen said. “The problem was that throughout my career at the BBC I never heard anyone disclosing that Jimmy had abused them.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.46pm GMT | at 12.46pm GMT |
| 12.34pm GMT | 12.34pm GMT |
| 12:34 | 12:34 |
| 12.34pm GMT | 12.34pm GMT |
| 12:34 | 12:34 |
| 12.33pm GMT | 12.33pm GMT |
| 12:33 | 12:33 |