BBC accused of arrogance over Ross’s return

THE BBC was accused of “arrogance” yesterday as its boss accepted that Radio 2 was wrong to announce Jonathan Ross’s return date.

Michael Lyons, chairman of the BBC, said “nothing” had been ruled out during the inquiry into the Andrew Sachs controversy, sparking speculation that £6 million-a-year (€7.10m) Ross could face further disciplinary action.

But the BBC Trust later issued a statement which indicated that no further sanction against Ross was expected. Ross is serving a three-month suspension from the airwaves after he and Russell Brand caused uproar by leaving lewd messages on the Fawlty Towers’ actor’s answering machine. Lyons and BBC director-general Mark Thompson came under fire from MPs during a tough Culture, Media and Sport Committee hearing at the House of Commons yesterday. Radio 2 said last week that Ross would return on January 24.

John Whittingdale, the committee chairman, asked Lyons whether this announcement was premature, given that the trust was not due to publish its final report on the scandal until Friday.

Lyons replied: “There are many aspects of this affair which I would like to have seen handled differently. I am sure in the last week the BBC has done a few things I wish it hadn’t — it’s a big organisation.” The trust chairman indicated the body had yet to make its final decision on the scandal. This appeared to raise the possibility of more punishment for Ross, but a statement from the trust said it had ratified the BBC management’s decision to suspend Ross for three months as “an appropriate sanction”.

At the committee hearing, Philip Davies, a member of the committee, accused Lyons and Thompson of presiding over “an arrogant organisation”.