Unravelling

The BBC has got itself into a right old tangle. Panorama is making a special, aimed at Monday, with the help of Newsnight producer Meirion Jones. Apparently, it's not necessarily directly about Jimmy Savile, but about the processes that stopped a Newsnight investigation that Meirion was working on. This morning, there's some doubt it'll make Monday - editing and approvals needed.

Presumably, Director of News Helen Boaden, and her Number 2, Stephen Mitchell, are out of this loop, because they had roles (strength and influence unknown) in the decisions last December. So Head of Newsgathering Fran Unsworth and Director of Global News, Peter Horrocks, move into loco parentis for the frantic weekend phone calls and viewings. And, if THEY need to refer the proposed Panorama up to the top, the DG, George Entwistle, who also had a role (strength and influence unknown) must step aside from his position as "Editor-in-chief", and pass the call on to Fiona Reynolds. Who doesn't, I think, have "journalism" in her CV.  and call Tim Davie, Director of Audio & Music.