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.

MPs also questioned why licence fee money should be spent putting BBC staff through a training programme telling them “not to lie”.

Appearing before the Commons media select committee, Mr Byford described the deceptions as totally unacceptable and said honesty lay at the heart of the relationship between the BBC and its viewers.

He pledged to restore public confidence in the corporation.

Mr Byford said he was stunned by the six deceptions revealed last week, a scandal that began when Blue Peter was found to have faked a competition winner.

But he admitted: “Some investigations are still going on.

“We may well get other cases. I hope obviously that we don’t, but I wouldn’t rule it out.

“I can confirm in no uncertain terms they will be judged to be absolutely grave and in a context where we won’t tolerate it.”