The BBC’s news chief and her deputy have ‘stepped aside’ while the broadcaster deals with the fallout from a child abuse scandal that forced its director-general to resign, the broadcaster said Monday.
“Consideration is now being given to the extent to which individuals should be asked to account further for their actions and if appropriate, disciplinary action will be taken,” the statement said.
Fran Unsworth, head of newsgathering, would assume Helen Boaden’s duties and Ceri Thomas, editor of BBC radio’s influential “Today” news programme, will serve as deputy, the BBC said.
The move comes after resignation of BBC’s director-general, George Entwistle on Saturday, after a news programme bungled reports that powerful Britons sexually abused children.
The corporation’s governing body, the BBC Trust, confirmed on Sunday that Mr Entwistle would get a payoff of 450,000 pounds. It says, the settlement took into consideration that Mr Entwistle would continue working on BBC business, including two inquiries in the child abuse scandal.
John Whittingdale, chairman of the House of Commons committee on culture, media and sport, said he was surprised by the settlement and called for an explanation.
