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BBC broadcasts Brand row apology BBC broadcasts Brand row apology
(about 1 hour later)
BBC Radio 2 has broadcast an apology about the lewd phone calls made by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs.BBC Radio 2 has broadcast an apology about the lewd phone calls made by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs.
The apology was aired at 1003 GMT when Ross's show would have gone out, and will be broadcast again at 2103 GMT during Brand's former slot.The apology was aired at 1003 GMT when Ross's show would have gone out, and will be broadcast again at 2103 GMT during Brand's former slot.
The BBC Trust said the "serious breach of editorial standards" necessitated an on-air apology to licence fee payers.The BBC Trust said the "serious breach of editorial standards" necessitated an on-air apology to licence fee payers.
A second senior Radio 2 executive has now resigned in the wake of the row.A second senior Radio 2 executive has now resigned in the wake of the row.
David Barber, the station's head of specialist music and compliance, would have been involved in checking the content of programmes prior to transmission.David Barber, the station's head of specialist music and compliance, would have been involved in checking the content of programmes prior to transmission.
His departure follows that of Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas last month.His departure follows that of Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas last month.
Brand resigned from Radio 2 in the wake of the row, while Ross was suspended without pay for three months.Brand resigned from Radio 2 in the wake of the row, while Ross was suspended without pay for three months.
It is believed his suspension from his radio and TV talk shows and from Film 2008 will cost the entertainer more than £1 million.It is believed his suspension from his radio and TV talk shows and from Film 2008 will cost the entertainer more than £1 million.
'Unacceptable intrusion''Unacceptable intrusion'
The on-air apology, approved by the Trust's Editorial Standards Committee, went as follows:The on-air apology, approved by the Trust's Editorial Standards Committee, went as follows:
"On 18 October, the BBC broadcast an exchange between Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross on the Russell Brand show on Radio 2."On 18 October, the BBC broadcast an exchange between Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross on the Russell Brand show on Radio 2.
"This concerned the actor Andrew Sachs and his granddaughter, Georgina Baillie.The BBC confirmed David Barber's resignation on Friday"This concerned the actor Andrew Sachs and his granddaughter, Georgina Baillie.The BBC confirmed David Barber's resignation on Friday
"Some of this exchange was left on the voicemail of Mr Sachs."Some of this exchange was left on the voicemail of Mr Sachs.
"The conversation was grossly offensive and an unacceptable intrusion into the private lives of both Mr Sachs and Ms Baillie."The conversation was grossly offensive and an unacceptable intrusion into the private lives of both Mr Sachs and Ms Baillie.
"It was a serious breach of editorial standards, and should never have been recorded or broadcast."It was a serious breach of editorial standards, and should never have been recorded or broadcast.
"The BBC would like to apologise unreservedly to Mr Sachs, Ms Baillie and to our audiences as licence fee payers.""The BBC would like to apologise unreservedly to Mr Sachs, Ms Baillie and to our audiences as licence fee payers."
Sachs, 78, 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.Sachs, 78, 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.The pair made obscene comments about the actor's 23-year-old granddaughter Georgina Baillie during four separate phone calls.
Ross swore and said Brand had slept with Sachs' granddaughter.Ross swore and said Brand had slept with Sachs' granddaughter.
After thousands of people complained about the broadcast following media reports, Brand said in a statement he took "complete responsibility" for the incident.After thousands of people complained about the broadcast following media reports, Brand said in a statement he took "complete responsibility" for the incident.
Ross released his own statement, saying he was "deeply sorry" and regretted the "upset" he had caused.Ross released his own statement, saying he was "deeply sorry" and regretted the "upset" he had caused.