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BBC 'parted company' with Tony Blackburn over Savile inquiry evidence BBC 'parted company' with Tony Blackburn over Savile inquiry evidence
(about 1 hour later)
The BBC “parted company” with Tony Blackburn because the evidence he gave to the Jimmy Savile sex abuse inquiry “fell short” of the standards required, the corporation’s director general has said.The BBC “parted company” with Tony Blackburn because the evidence he gave to the Jimmy Savile sex abuse inquiry “fell short” of the standards required, the corporation’s director general has said.
Lord Hall said that, while he made no judgment on any claims about past behaviour, he must take “extremely seriously” Dame Janet Smith’s rejection of Blackburn’s evidence.Lord Hall said that, while he made no judgment on any claims about past behaviour, he must take “extremely seriously” Dame Janet Smith’s rejection of Blackburn’s evidence.
“My interpretation of that is that Tony Blackburn fell short of the standards of evidence that such an inquiry demanded,” he told reporters shortly after the report’s publication on Thursday morning.“My interpretation of that is that Tony Blackburn fell short of the standards of evidence that such an inquiry demanded,” he told reporters shortly after the report’s publication on Thursday morning.
Related: Tony Blackburn says he will take legal action against BBC after alleged sackingRelated: Tony Blackburn says he will take legal action against BBC after alleged sacking
Confirming that Blackburn and the BBC had “parted company”, Hall added: “This is one of the most important inquiries in the BBC’s history and that has put an even greater responsibility on everyone who took part in that inquiry to co-operate fully and to be open. Blackburn responded by claiming he had been “hung out to dry” by the BBC, adding that he would be taking legal action.
Smith’s report said there had been “serious failings” at the BBC that allowed Savile and Stuart Hall to sexually abuse nearly 100 people without detection for decades.
It found that despite what had happened with Savile and Hall in previous years, those worked at the BBC were still worried about reporting potential abuse and taking on the broadcaster’s stars.
Confirming that Blackburn and the BBC had “parted company”, Lord Hall said: “This is one of the most important inquiries in the BBC’s history and that has put an even greater responsibility on everyone who took part in that inquiry to co-operate fully and to be open.
“So many survivors and witnesses have honestly and openly co-operated fully and at great personal cost to themselves.“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 has rejected his evidence and has explained very clearly why.“As Dame Janet has said, she has rejected his evidence and 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.
“I am making no judgment or accusations about events or behaviours about what happened in the past, but simply about what he’s done now and what he was doing in front of this really crucial inquiry.”“I am making no judgment or accusations about events or behaviours about what happened in the past, but simply about what he’s done now and what he was doing in front of this really crucial inquiry.”
Responding to repeated questioning over Blackburn, Hall added: “I’m quite clear that I am making a judgment about how someone has engaged with this seriously important inquiry.Responding to repeated questioning over Blackburn, Hall added: “I’m quite clear that I am making a judgment about how someone has engaged with this seriously important inquiry.
“I am sure that all of us who have been through the 1,000 pages are probably overwhelmed by what we hear about the nature of the seriousness of what they have said and also the cultural response of the BBC.“I am sure that all of us who have been through the 1,000 pages are probably overwhelmed by what we hear about the nature of the seriousness of what they have said and also the cultural response of the BBC.
“And that’s why my decision was my decision. I’m taking a position about the standards of behaviour I expect from everyone working at the BBC now.”“And that’s why my decision was my decision. I’m taking a position about the standards of behaviour I expect from everyone working at the BBC now.”
Blackburn announced his exit with a lengthy statement posted on Twitter late on Wednesday night – hours before the publication of Smith’s review. But it was not confirmed by the broadcaster until after the publication of the report on Thursday morning. Blackburn issued a statement on Thursday saying: “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.
pic.twitter.com/24vIvPh464 “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 Jr 45 years ago still stands.
The 73-year-old said he had been shown the door because his evidence to Smith showed that a cover-up, of which he had no knowledge, had taken place. “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?
He said he had been “left with no choice” but to take legal action against the BBC. “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.
“They have taken away a career I love and I will not allow them to destroy my reputation,” Blackburn’s statement read. “My lawyers are now considering all statements made by the BBC about me today and we will be taking action.”
On Thursday morning, he tweeted his thanks to those he said have offered him support. Earlier, he tweeted his thanks to those he said have offered him support.
Good morning,I just want to say thanks so much for your overwhelming support it means a lot to me. xxxGood morning,I just want to say thanks so much for your overwhelming support it means a lot to me. xxx
I won’t be tweeting too much but I must say a big thanks for all the support from my fellow broadcasters, it is very kind of you.I won’t be tweeting too much but I must say a big thanks for all the support from my fellow broadcasters, it is very kind of you.
In his statement from Wednesday night, he referred to a 1971 allegation by the mother of a teenage girl who took her own life shortly after claiming she was assaulted by an unnamed BBC DJ.In his statement from Wednesday night, he referred to a 1971 allegation by the mother of a teenage girl who took her own life shortly after claiming she was assaulted by an unnamed BBC DJ.
“I am told that the mother told the BBC, a few weeks after her initial complaint, that her daughter had withdrawn her allegation against me.“I am told that the mother told the BBC, a few weeks after her initial complaint, that her daughter had withdrawn her allegation against me.
“Dame Janet’s report makes no suggestion that I was guilty 45 years ago of any misconduct whatsoever with this girl.“Dame Janet’s report makes no suggestion that I was guilty 45 years ago of any misconduct whatsoever with this girl.
“Nor did a coroner’s inquest or a subsequent police inquiry into her death. The BBC have made clear that they are not terminating my relationship with them because of any misconduct. They are destroying my career and reputation because my version of events does not tally with theirs,” he said.“Nor did a coroner’s inquest or a subsequent police inquiry into her death. The BBC have made clear that they are not terminating my relationship with them because of any misconduct. They are destroying my career and reputation because my version of events does not tally with theirs,” he said.
In her report, Smith said the BBC’s handled that complaint “very badly”.In her report, Smith said the BBC’s handled that complaint “very badly”.
Kent radio station KMFM has said it is standing by Blackburn, who hosts a weekly show, despite the BBC choosing to “part company’ with him.Kent radio station KMFM has said it is standing by Blackburn, who hosts a weekly show, despite the BBC choosing to “part company’ with him.
“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 and 7pm on our stations. He is a great asset, a fantastic broadcaster and someone we are proud to work with.”“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 and 7pm on our stations. He is a great asset, a fantastic broadcaster and someone we are proud to work with.”