Sword of Damocles Hangs Over Ross and Brand
Georgina Baillie, granddaughter of veteran actor Andrew Sachs, has spoken out about the offensive messages Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross left on Sachs' answerphone.
In the lewd messages Ross blurted out that Brand had "f**ked your granddaughter" and joked that Sachs would probably commit suicide at the news.
Georgina told The Sun that the stunt had left her grandfather "distraught" and that she wants the pair to be sacked.
"Russell Brand has embarrassed me by making a private relationship very public in the cruellest way imaginable.
"We were lovers but I trusted him as a friend as well. He has betrayed me for a few cheap laughs and left my grandfather distraught.
"Is that what the BBC calls entertainment?"
Political pressure has been mounting on the BBC after both the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition condemned the unacceptable broadcast.
David Cameron was particularly critical of prank, reinforcing frosty-relations between the Conservatives and BBC.
Speaking yesterday David said: "I think the BBC have got some very straightforward questions to answer. The main question is why did they allow this programme to be broadcast, given that it was pre-recorded?
"So we need to know who made the decision to broadcast it? How high up the editorial chain did it go? Who examined it? Why did they conclude that it should be broadcast?
"The BBC needs to be transparent about how it takes decisions and explain its decision-taking process so that everyone can see what more needs to be done."
Ofcom is investigating the content of Russell Brand's show, which was broadcast on the 18th October. The regulator could fine the BBC as much as £250,000 if it is found to have breached their Broadcasting Code.
The BBC, mindful of the fact there will be a Conservative Government in less than 2-years time, will be compelled to act.
Update @ 11.20 am:
Both Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross have been suspended by the BBC. BBC Director General Mark Thompson has issued a press release, the text of which will be published here shortly.
Thompson press release:
"I would like to add my own personal and unreserved apology to Andrew Sachs, his family and to licence fee payers for the completely unacceptable broadcast on BBC Radio 2.
"BBC audiences accept that, in comedy, performers attempt to push the line of taste. However, this is not a marginal case. It is clear from the views expressed by the public that this broadcast has caused severe offence and I share that view.
"Since Sunday, I have been in regular contact with the senior executives I tasked with handling this issue. The investigation that I instructed Tim Davie to conduct is nearing completion, and I am returning to London to review the findings and, in the coming days, announce what action we will take.
"In the meantime, I have decided that it is not appropriate for either Russell Brand or Jonathan Ross to continue broadcasting on the BBC until I have seen the full report of the actions of all concerned.
"This gross lapse of taste by the performers and the production team has angered licence payers. I am determined that we satisfy them that any lessons will be learnt and appropriate action taken. I have been asked to report to the Trust's Editorial Standards Committee before the end of this week and will discuss with the Trust the findings of the report and the actions I propose."
In the lewd messages Ross blurted out that Brand had "f**ked your granddaughter" and joked that Sachs would probably commit suicide at the news.
Georgina told The Sun that the stunt had left her grandfather "distraught" and that she wants the pair to be sacked.
"Russell Brand has embarrassed me by making a private relationship very public in the cruellest way imaginable.
"We were lovers but I trusted him as a friend as well. He has betrayed me for a few cheap laughs and left my grandfather distraught.
"Is that what the BBC calls entertainment?"
Political pressure has been mounting on the BBC after both the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition condemned the unacceptable broadcast.
David Cameron was particularly critical of prank, reinforcing frosty-relations between the Conservatives and BBC.
Speaking yesterday David said: "I think the BBC have got some very straightforward questions to answer. The main question is why did they allow this programme to be broadcast, given that it was pre-recorded?
"So we need to know who made the decision to broadcast it? How high up the editorial chain did it go? Who examined it? Why did they conclude that it should be broadcast?
"The BBC needs to be transparent about how it takes decisions and explain its decision-taking process so that everyone can see what more needs to be done."
Ofcom is investigating the content of Russell Brand's show, which was broadcast on the 18th October. The regulator could fine the BBC as much as £250,000 if it is found to have breached their Broadcasting Code.
The BBC, mindful of the fact there will be a Conservative Government in less than 2-years time, will be compelled to act.
Update @ 11.20 am:
Both Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross have been suspended by the BBC. BBC Director General Mark Thompson has issued a press release, the text of which will be published here shortly.
Thompson press release:
"I would like to add my own personal and unreserved apology to Andrew Sachs, his family and to licence fee payers for the completely unacceptable broadcast on BBC Radio 2.
"BBC audiences accept that, in comedy, performers attempt to push the line of taste. However, this is not a marginal case. It is clear from the views expressed by the public that this broadcast has caused severe offence and I share that view.
"Since Sunday, I have been in regular contact with the senior executives I tasked with handling this issue. The investigation that I instructed Tim Davie to conduct is nearing completion, and I am returning to London to review the findings and, in the coming days, announce what action we will take.
"In the meantime, I have decided that it is not appropriate for either Russell Brand or Jonathan Ross to continue broadcasting on the BBC until I have seen the full report of the actions of all concerned.
"This gross lapse of taste by the performers and the production team has angered licence payers. I am determined that we satisfy them that any lessons will be learnt and appropriate action taken. I have been asked to report to the Trust's Editorial Standards Committee before the end of this week and will discuss with the Trust the findings of the report and the actions I propose."
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