Statement regarding the Dame Janet Smith Review

Firstly, my thoughts and all our thoughts are with the victims of Jimmy Savile and their families.

What happened was a dark chapter in the history of the BBC.

Dame Janet Smith’s report will be invaluable in helping us understand what happened and to help ensure that we do everything possible to avoid it happening again.

The Review has said that the copy leaked to the media is an early draft which has changed considerably, so while I am impatient to learn those lessons the responsible thing must be to act on the final report which we have not received.

The Review expects the report to be published within six weeks and we hope it will be published as swiftly as possible.

BBC Press Office