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BBC 'parted company' with Tony Blackburn over Savile inquiry evidence Tony Blackburn: BBC has hung me out to dry over Savile review
(about 4 hours 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. Tony Blackburn says the BBC has hung him “out to dry” after the corporation’s director general revealed the veteran DJ had been sacked for failing to co-operate with an investigation into sexual abuse at the broadcaster.
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 told a press conference on Thursday that Blackburn, 73, and the BBC had parted company because Dame Janet Smith rejected evidence Blackburn gave to her investigation of abuse by BBC stars Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall.
“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. Blackburn accused the BBC of making him a “scapegoat” and warned he was considering legal action against his former employer.
Blackburn responded by claiming he had been “hung out to dry” by the BBC, adding that he would be taking legal action. The DJ had denied in evidence that he had ever been interviewed by BBC staff about a complaint against him by a teenager in 1971. But Smith, in her inquiry report, said she “preferred” the evidence that Blackburn was interviewed by BBC officials about the complaint, after she was presented with two memos detailing the discussions.
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. In a statement on Thursday, Blackburn, the first DJ to broadcast on BBC Radio 1, 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.
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. “I repeat what I told Dame Janet when I voluntarily 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.
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. “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 added: “My lawyers are now considering all statements made by the BBC about me today and we will be taking action.”
Blackburn said on Wednesday he had been sacked and that he was the unnamed celebrity in Smith’s report who was accused of “seducing” 15-year-old Claire McAlpine.
McAlpine and her mother accused Blackburn of taking the teenage girl back to his flat after a recording of Top of the Pops. McAlpine took her own life a few weeks after the alleged incident. Blackburn denies the allegation.
Smith was told that Blackburn, who is named in the report only as A7, was interviewed at the time and denied the allegation. However, Blackburn denies he was ever interviewed by the BBC.
Asked if she believed Blackburn was lying, Smith refused to say.
Smith and Hall both said they were making no judgment or accusation about Blackburn’s alleged behaviour.
But Hall said the corporation had “parted company” with Blackburn because of his evidence to the inquiry.
Asked why the BBC sacked the DJ, Hall said: “Look, put this in context. 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’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.
“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 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. Blackburn spent 17 years at Radio 1 and also presented Top of the Pops on BBC TV. He was also a weekly fixture on the BBC1 show Noel’s House Party.
“I repeat what I told Dame Janet when I voluntarily 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. He hosted Radio 2’s Pick of the Pops as well as regular bank holiday specials for the stations and has had shows on BBC London 94.9, BBC Radio Berkshire, the Magic network and BBC3CR. In 2002 he won the ITV reality TV programme I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!
“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? In Smith’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.
“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. “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.”
“My lawyers are now considering all statements made by the BBC about me today and we will be taking action.”
Earlier, he tweeted his thanks to those he said have offered him support. Smith’s report also 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 who worked at the BBC were still worried about reporting potential abuse and taking on the broadcaster’s stars.
Earlier, Blackburn had tweeted his thanks to those he said had 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. The Kent radio station KMFM said it was standing by Blackburn, who hosts a weekly show.
“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.
“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”.
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.”
Smith report findingsSmith report findings