Director And Deputy Director Of News At BBC 'Step Aside'

Both the BBC director and deputy director of news have been asked to "step aside" pending the outcome of an internal review into the handling of the Jimmy Savile claims.

The move follows a report into a separate Newsnight broadcast on abuse claims, which said the BBC must resolve a "lack of clarity" in the chain of command.

Director general, George Entwhistle quit over the broadcast receiving a £450,000 pay-off.

Downing Street said it was "hard to justify" such a sum.

Sources told the BBC that Prime Minister David Cameron believes it was a matter for George Entwistle's conscience as to whether he expected the full payoff - a year's salary after just two months in the job.

The BBC said neither director of news Helen Boaden nor her deputy Steve Mitchell "had anything at all to do with the failed Newnight investigation into Lord McAlpine".

However, they were in the chain of command at the time that Newsnight shelved an earlier investigation into abuse claims against former BBC presenter Jimmy Savile.

They had removed themselves from making decisions on some areas of BBC News output while a separate inquiry, by former head of Sky News Nick Pollard, was held into that decision.

Ken MacQuarrie, director of BBC Scotland, in his report on the north Wales broadcast, said: "To address the lack of clarity around the editorial chain of command, a decision has been taken to re-establish a single management to deal with all output, Savile-related or otherwise.

"Helen Boaden has decided that she is not in a position to undertake this responsibility until the Pollard review has concluded."

He added: "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 BBC said once the Pollard Review reports, Ms Boaden and Mr Mitchell "expect to then return to their positions".

The director of news has overall editorial and managerial responsibility for UK-wide and global news and current affairs on radio, television and online.

(H/GK)