George Entwistle resignation statement: Saturday 10 November 2012 (shortly after 9pm)
“In the light of the fact that the director-general is also the editor-in-chief and ultimately responsible for all content; and in the light of the unacceptable journalistic standards of the Newsnight film broadcast on Friday 2nd November, I have decided that the honourable thing to do is to step down from the post of director-general.
“When appointed to the role, with 23 years’ experience as a producer and leader at the BBC, I was confident the trustees had chosen the best candidate for the post, and the right person to tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead. However, the wholly exceptional events of the past few weeks have led me to conclude that the BBC should appoint a new leader.
“To have been the director-general of the BBC even for a short period, and in the most challenging of circumstances, has been a great honour.
“While there is understandable public concern over a number of issues well covered in the media – which I’m confident will be addressed by the review process – we must not lose sight of the fact that the BBC is full of people of the greatest talent and the highest integrity. That’s what will continue to make it the finest broadcaster in the world.”
Lord Patten statement: Saturday 10 November 2012 (shortly after 9pm)
“This is undoubtedly one of the saddest evenings of my public life. George Entwistle has worked for the BBC for 23 years. He exemplifies the finest values of public service broadcasting.
“At the heart of the BBC is its role as a trusted global news organisation and as the editor in chief of that news organisation, George has very honourably offered us his resignation because of the unacceptable mistakes, the unacceptable shoddy journalism that has caused so much controversy.”
Click here to download Dimbleby, Entwistle and Patten’s transcript in a Microsoft Word File.
ProfPurvis 