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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Brown speaks out over prank calls | Brown speaks out over prank calls |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| PM Gordon Brown has criticised Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross for their "inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour" on Brand's radio show. | PM Gordon Brown has criticised Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross for their "inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour" on Brand's radio show. |
| He said the BBC must take "appropriate action" over a series of prank calls made to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs, and broadcast on 18 October. | |
| The BBC and watchdog Ofcom have both launched investigations. | |
| BBC audio and music director Tim Davie said it was "too early to speculate" on whether Brand or Ross will face action. | BBC audio and music director Tim Davie said it was "too early to speculate" on whether Brand or Ross will face action. |
| Voicemail messages | Voicemail messages |
| "This is clearly inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour, as is now widely recognised," Mr Brown said. | "This is clearly inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour, as is now widely recognised," Mr Brown said. |
| The main question is why did they allow this programme to be broadcast, given that it was pre-recorded? David Cameron class="" href="/1/hi/entertainment/7694989.stm">How the story unfolded "Ofcom have said they will investigate the matter and it is for the BBC, the BBC Trust and Ofcom to take any appropriate action." | |
| Sachs, 78, said he was upset after Brand and Ross left a series of lewd messages on his voicemail as part of a pre-recorded show, taped on 16 October. | |
| The pair made obscene comments about the actor's 23-year-old granddaughter Georgina Baillie during four separate phone calls. | |
| Sachs had been scheduled to appear as a guest on the programme, but was unable to take part due to unforeseen circumstances. | |
| In the first of the phone messages, Ross suddenly swore and said Brand had slept with Ms Baillie. | |
| Georgina Baillie deserved an apology, her grandfather said | |
| The BBC has now received more than 10,000 complaints about the broadcast. | |
| Tory leader David Cameron has called for the BBC to be "transparent" about how the programme came to be broadcast. | Tory leader David Cameron has called for the BBC to be "transparent" about how the programme came to be broadcast. |
| "The main question is why did they allow this programme to be broadcast, given that it was pre-recorded? | "The main question is why did they allow this programme to be broadcast, given that it was pre-recorded? |
| "So we need to know who made the decision to broadcast it? How high up the editorial chain did it go?" | "So we need to know who made the decision to broadcast it? How high up the editorial chain did it go?" |
| He made no excuses and he was very frank and open Sachs on Ross' personal apology | |
| Meanwhile, Mr Sachs has told the BBC that on the day the show was recorded, "the producer called me on my mobile to ask whether they could play the recording in question". | |
| He added: "The signal was poor and I couldn't really hear what was being played down the line to me. | He added: "The signal was poor and I couldn't really hear what was being played down the line to me. |
| "But I asked whether they would consider allowing me to come in the following week and then the recorded segment would not have to be included." | "But I asked whether they would consider allowing me to come in the following week and then the recorded segment would not have to be included." |
| He said Ross had "personally delivered a letter of apology and some flowers" since the broadcast. | |
| HAVE YOUR SAY My solution is to hold them both to their contracts but just don't let them on air Joe P, Dunfermline Send us your comments | |
| "He made no excuses and he was very frank and open," he added. | "He made no excuses and he was very frank and open," he added. |
| "He is in a lot of trouble and I don't want to pile any more on him." | "He is in a lot of trouble and I don't want to pile any more on him." |
| He has not "heard anything" from Brand - whose spokeswoman earlier told the BBC the comedian had "issued a private apology". | |
| Sachs noted that his granddaughter had not heard from either broadcaster and said both men "owe her an apology". | |
| A Radio 2 spokeswoman said on Monday the BBC was "reviewing how this came about" and apologised to listeners for any offence caused. | |
| BBC audio and music director Tim Davie refused to be drawn on possible action | |
| And, on Tuesday, Ofcom launched an investigation into the incident, reminding the BBC of its obligation to "ensure that material which may cause offence is justified by the context". | |
| Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Davie, the BBC's head of audio and music, refused to be drawn on whether Ross or Brand would be disciplined. | |
| "We do offer an unreserved apology to Andrew Sachs and his family," he added. | |
| "We do recognise this was an unacceptable broadcast and I am leading an investigation to ascertain the facts." | |
| Meanwhile, the pair have received strong support from Radio 1 listeners. | |
| Most of those who texted the youth-orientated station said reaction to the pranks had been "over the top". |