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BBC editorial leaders suspended BBC editorial leaders suspended
(about 2 hours later)
A number of senior BBC editorial staff have been suspended with immediate effect in the wake of revelations about faked phone-in competitions.A number of senior BBC editorial staff have been suspended with immediate effect in the wake of revelations about faked phone-in competitions.
A BBC spokeswoman said junior personnel were not involved, but declined to comment on the numbers affected. A BBC spokeswoman said junior personnel were not involved, but declined to comment on numbers or identities.
Meanwhile, BBC director general Mark Thompson has been given a vote of confidence by the BBC Trust.Meanwhile, BBC director general Mark Thompson has been given a vote of confidence by the BBC Trust.
Chairman Sir Michael Lyons said he was "the right person to lead change", and was "confident he will do it".Chairman Sir Michael Lyons said he was "the right person to lead change", and was "confident he will do it".
But he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme they would "suspend judgement until we have seen improvement".But he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme they would "suspend judgement until we have seen improvement".
'Strong supporters''Strong supporters'
Serious editorial breaches were found in six shows, including Comic Relief.Serious editorial breaches were found in six shows, including Comic Relief.
The charity said in a statement that "these broadcast problems will not affect its grant-giving or donations in any way".The charity said in a statement that "these broadcast problems will not affect its grant-giving or donations in any way".
Sir Michael warned that the Trust, which oversees the BBC's activities and represents licence fee payers, would be "watching very carefully" to ensure the correct sanctions were applied.Sir Michael warned that the Trust, which oversees the BBC's activities and represents licence fee payers, would be "watching very carefully" to ensure the correct sanctions were applied.
"We will come back in a year's time to make sure the BBC is a different place to the one it is today," he added. "We will come back in a year's time to make sure the BBC is a different place to the one it is today," he said.
Mark Thompson has been given the backing of the BBC Trust The faked BBC phone-insMark Thompson has been given the backing of the BBC Trust The faked BBC phone-ins
Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom said the admissions posed "serious questions" under its code of conduct and that it would request further information about the cases before taking action.Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom said the admissions posed "serious questions" under its code of conduct and that it would request further information about the cases before taking action.
It added that it would speak to the BBC Trust about wider issues arising from recent findings that there was a "systematic failure" in the way TV channels have run premium rate phone services.It added that it would speak to the BBC Trust about wider issues arising from recent findings that there was a "systematic failure" in the way TV channels have run premium rate phone services.
In the House of Commons, Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman said the government were "strong supporters of the BBC".In the House of Commons, Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman said the government were "strong supporters of the BBC".
"It is of course important they have the trust of all their viewers but... this is not just an issue for the BBC but across all broadcasters," she added."It is of course important they have the trust of all their viewers but... this is not just an issue for the BBC but across all broadcasters," she added.
In response to Conservative MP Andrew Mackay saying people had "lost trust in the BBC", Ms Harman replied: "We know the BBC is acting on this, we support them in their actions."In response to Conservative MP Andrew Mackay saying people had "lost trust in the BBC", Ms Harman replied: "We know the BBC is acting on this, we support them in their actions."
Broadcasting union Bectu has warned that junior production staff should not become targets in the inquiry. Broadcasting union Bectu has warned that junior production staff should not become targets in the internal inquiry.
NEW BBC MEASURES All competitions suspendedAll staff to be trained on safeguarding trustIndependent inquiry into the Queen documentaryCommissioning from the Queen documentary production company RDF "paused"Some editorial leaders asked to "stand back" from their dutiesContracts with staff and suppliers revised to emphasise editorial standardsPromotional materials must meet the same standards Have your say on TV phone-ins General secretary Gerry Morrissey said: "This situation is of senior management's making. We will strongly defend any of our members who are disciplined because the problem lies at the top."NEW BBC MEASURES All competitions suspendedAll staff to be trained on safeguarding trustIndependent inquiry into the Queen documentaryCommissioning from the Queen documentary production company RDF "paused"Some editorial leaders asked to "stand back" from their dutiesContracts with staff and suppliers revised to emphasise editorial standardsPromotional materials must meet the same standards Have your say on TV phone-ins General secretary Gerry Morrissey said: "This situation is of senior management's making. We will strongly defend any of our members who are disciplined because the problem lies at the top."
Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, said staff shortages and short-term contracts across the industry were to blame for "cutting corners".Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, said staff shortages and short-term contracts across the industry were to blame for "cutting corners".
Mr Thompson has outlined a "zero tolerance" approach to future lapses in editorial judgement.Mr Thompson has outlined a "zero tolerance" approach to future lapses in editorial judgement.
BBC One's Sports Relief in July 2006, Comic Relief in March 2007, Children In Need on BBC Scotland in November 2005, The Liz Kershaw Show on BBC 6 Music and CBBC programme TMi were all found to have breached editorial standards.BBC One's Sports Relief in July 2006, Comic Relief in March 2007, Children In Need on BBC Scotland in November 2005, The Liz Kershaw Show on BBC 6 Music and CBBC programme TMi were all found to have breached editorial standards.
All phone-related competitions on BBC TV and radio ceased from midnight on Wednesday, while interactive and online competitions will be taken down as soon as possible.All phone-related competitions on BBC TV and radio ceased from midnight on Wednesday, while interactive and online competitions will be taken down as soon as possible.
Mr Thompson has also ordered an independent inquiry into footage that wrongly implied the Queen walked out of a photo session.Mr Thompson has also ordered an independent inquiry into footage that wrongly implied the Queen walked out of a photo session.
The BBC Trust said it was "deeply concerned that significant failures of control and compliance within the BBC have compromised the BBC's values of accuracy and honesty".The BBC Trust said it was "deeply concerned that significant failures of control and compliance within the BBC have compromised the BBC's values of accuracy and honesty".
Other measures outlined in Mr Thompson's action plan include mandatory training for 16,500 staff.Other measures outlined in Mr Thompson's action plan include mandatory training for 16,500 staff.
He has also called for a workshop involving other broadcasters to discuss issues surrounding editorial standards and training.He has also called for a workshop involving other broadcasters to discuss issues surrounding editorial standards and training.