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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Paxman criticism of BBC on Savile scandal to be redacted | Paxman criticism of BBC on Savile scandal to be redacted |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Trenchant criticism by Jeremy Paxman and a senior news executive of how BBC management handled the Savile scandal is to be redacted from the soon-to-be published transcripts of the evidence they gave to an internal inquiry into the crisis. | Trenchant criticism by Jeremy Paxman and a senior news executive of how BBC management handled the Savile scandal is to be redacted from the soon-to-be published transcripts of the evidence they gave to an internal inquiry into the crisis. |
| Some of the evidence given by the Newsnight presenter and Peter Horrocks, who as global news director is responsible for the World Service and BBC World News channel, to the inquiry overseen by the former head of Sky News, Nick Pollard, was potentially defamatory and has been removed by lawyers, according to sources. | Some of the evidence given by the Newsnight presenter and Peter Horrocks, who as global news director is responsible for the World Service and BBC World News channel, to the inquiry overseen by the former head of Sky News, Nick Pollard, was potentially defamatory and has been removed by lawyers, according to sources. |
| It is understood that Paxman and Horrocks were particularly critical of how senior BBC News management handled the Savile scandal in the autumn. | It is understood that Paxman and Horrocks were particularly critical of how senior BBC News management handled the Savile scandal in the autumn. |
| However, it is also understood that overall less than 10% of the soon-to-be published Pollard review transcripts will be redacted. | However, it is also understood that overall less than 10% of the soon-to-be published Pollard review transcripts will be redacted. |
| The BBC published the findings of Pollard's inquiry in December, on the corporation's handling of Newsnight's abandoned Savile investigation, in late 2011, and the aftermath when the story finally broke in October. | The BBC published the findings of Pollard's inquiry in December, on the corporation's handling of Newsnight's abandoned Savile investigation, in late 2011, and the aftermath when the story finally broke in October. |
| Lawyers working on the transcripts are understood to have found the task more difficult as when evidence was being given by BBC staff and executives they spoke freely since it was not known at the time that the material was going to be published. | Lawyers working on the transcripts are understood to have found the task more difficult as when evidence was being given by BBC staff and executives they spoke freely since it was not known at the time that the material was going to be published. |
| However, Lord Patten said before a Commons select committee in November that the annex on which he based his conclusions, including the transcripts of witness statements, would be published. | |
| One source said: "The amount redacted is in single percentage figures, some of it was removed because of legal defamation." | One source said: "The amount redacted is in single percentage figures, some of it was removed because of legal defamation." |
| Lawyers are thought to have almost completed their task. Once they have, those mentioned will receive a letter telling them that they will have a chance to see the redacted transcripts and raise any issues. | Lawyers are thought to have almost completed their task. Once they have, those mentioned will receive a letter telling them that they will have a chance to see the redacted transcripts and raise any issues. |
| They will be entitled to a short time during which they can make a challenge but there will be no special consideration given to anyone. | They will be entitled to a short time during which they can make a challenge but there will be no special consideration given to anyone. |
| One insider said: "Lord Patten wants total transparency. But it is going to bring the whole issue up again. People were speaking frankly when they gave evidence." | One insider said: "Lord Patten wants total transparency. But it is going to bring the whole issue up again. People were speaking frankly when they gave evidence." |
| It is expected that the transcripts will be published towards the end of next week or the week after. | It is expected that the transcripts will be published towards the end of next week or the week after. |
| They will be approved by the BBC executive and the BBC Trust, which is due to meet again on 21 February. | They will be approved by the BBC executive and the BBC Trust, which is due to meet again on 21 February. |
| Nineteen people were called for interview over a six week period during Pollard's investigation, including the then director general George Entwistle, former Newsnight editor Peter Rippon, director of news Helen Boaden and former director general Mark Thompson. | Nineteen people were called for interview over a six week period during Pollard's investigation, including the then director general George Entwistle, former Newsnight editor Peter Rippon, director of news Helen Boaden and former director general Mark Thompson. |
| The BBC and a spokesman for Paxman declined to comment. | The BBC and a spokesman for Paxman declined to comment. |
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