Thursday 25 October 2012

Chris Patten

The ridiculous figure that is Chris Patten has launched himself barking into the public gaze, just after comments suggesting he might have to 'fall on his sword' emerged, during the Saville affair. Obviously the thing that is most important to this member of the BBC Trust is his own comfort. Up until now, he didn't seem to have a view, nor from his previous lack of interest any care. That's the Patten we know.

He thinks George Entwistle was fine at the CMS grilling because anyone would have felt the pressure, he was only 11 days into the job when this all blew up and he is entitled to blame the editor. What we know though is that Entwistle worked, in a senior capacity for the BBC, before he became DG, that he was tipped off about the Newsnight programme and now claims to have been aware but not that interested and that Rippon, the Editor didn't 'step aside' as was repeatedly reported, but was told to by Entwistle.

We also know that Rippon's boss, Helen Boaden has taken a vow of silence and that the BBC, which Patten fiercely claims to be independent, has hired lawyers to look into the Saville scandal who have done a significant amount of work for the Corporation previously and presumably, would be keen to get more in the future.

It may be difficult to discern exactly what did go on at the BBC, but some of the actions of the senior management would suggest that they don't ever want us to know, for whatever reason.

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