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BBC Jimmy Savile

BBC inquiry into dropping of Savile Newsnight finds 'flaws', as deputy head of news Mitchell decides to retire

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By Ishbel Macleod, PR and social media consultant

December 19, 2012 | 2 min read

An inquiry into the shelving of a Newsnight report into the sexual abuse by Jimmy Savile has ruled that BBC had ‘flaws’, but that there was no evidence of a cover-up.

The report by Nick Pollard, a former head of news at Sky, said: "The decision to drop the original investigation was flawed and the way it was taken was wrong but I believe it was done in good faith.

"It was not done to protect the Savile tribute programmes or for any improper reason."

The Pollard review added that the biggest issue was not the decision to drop the story, but ‘the complete inability to deal with the events that followed’.

The editor and deputy editor of Newsnight are to be replaced, the BBC has said, while head of BBC News Helen Boaden will return to her post on 20 December.

Deputy head of news, Stephen Mitchell, has released a statement saying he has decided to retire with "great sadness" after more than 38 years' service "of which I am very proud and which I have found greatly enjoyable".

He added: "Given the strain over the past month since being told to stand aside from the job I loved, having endured the Pollard review process and now having read its criticisms, I have decided that it is in my interests and those of the BBC that I bring my career to a dignified end."

Editor of Newsnight, Peter Rippon, is currently in talks with the broadcaster about a new role.

BBC Jimmy Savile

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