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BBC director general ‘very much hopes’ Panorama Comic Relief probe will go ahead

By Darren Boyle

BBC director general Tony Hall today told a parliamentary committee that a Panorama investigation into Comic Relief should be shown.

The programme is looking at how the high profile charity invests its funds as well as the amount it pays in wages.

Addressing the select committee on Culture, Media and Sport he said: “When you have a programme which is controversial, and right to be controversial, and making big claims and right to be making big claims about things… you shouldn't set a transmission date.

"You should absolutely ensure there's proper time for proper processes to be gone through."

He added: "I very much hope this programme will be transmitted but I don't know yet what the substance of the allegations that are being made are and are they right or wrong?"

Later in his testimony Hall admitted to MPs that the BBC was planning a special anti-bullying hotline for staff.

He said at least one member of staff had left the corporation because of their behaviour and other disciplinary hearings were planned.

He said: "This helpline is the latest example of what I want to do to make sure we have a workplace where people feel valued, people feel they are not been bullied or harassed, that they want to come into work."

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