20160225

Savile and Hall: BBC 'missed chances to stop attacks'

The BBC missed opportunities to stop "monstrous" abuse by DJ Jimmy Savile and broadcaster Stuart Hall because of a "culture of fear", a report says.

The Dame Janet Smith review identified 72 victims of Savile - including eight who were raped - and 21 victims of Hall, over five decades from 1959.

She said BBC culture "was deeply deferential" and staff were reluctant to speak to managers about complaints.

Director general Lord Hall said the BBC had failed to protect the victims.

The review found that senior managers were not told of complaints about Savile because of an "atmosphere of fear" which still exists in the BBC.

However, a small number of BBC managers in Manchester had been aware of Hall's conduct, it said.

Hall, 86, who presented TV show It's a Knockout, was jailed in 2013 after admitting indecently assaulting 13 girls.

Dame Janet said Savile - who died in 2011 aged 84 without ever facing prosecution - and Hall were "serial sexual predators" and the BBC had missed five clear opportunities to stop their misconduct...

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35658398

No comments:

Post a Comment