BBC bosses give evidence on TV phone-in scandal

BBC bosses were hauled over the coals by MPs yesterday as they gave evidence about the TV phone-in scandal.

Deputy director-general Mark Byford and chief operating officer Caroline Thomson were asked to explain how viewers came to be deceived in a string of shows including Children In Need and Comic Relief.

They were accused of “fighting a rearguard action” and of being “dangerously out of touch” with the way BBC programmes are made.