October 21, 2013

Mirror claims BBC Panorama probe into Comic Relief postponed

A BBC Panorama probe into the Comic Relief charity has reportedly been postponed by bosses at the corporation.

The Daily Mirror reported that more than a dozen senior BBC executives had to rule themselves out of the decision-making process because of links to the charity.

An inside source told the Daily Mirror that the show discovered how the charity invested £150 million in tobacco and arms firms for eight years before redirecting the money to good causes.

“This is causing huge problems within the Corporation opening a can of worms some would rather stay closed. We’re struggling to find other execs to take the place of those who ruled themselves out due to a conflict of interest.

“This is the BBC in full-on post-Savile self-flagellation mode.”

However, a spokesperson for BBC Panorama said: "At any one time the BBC is working on any number of investigations. We don't comment on these."

The Mirror said Comic Relief, which raised £87.8 million last year has seen staff costs double to £13.5 million over the past four years.

And a spokeswoman for the charity said: "We can assure the public that Comic Relief takes the issue of managing money very seriously indeed and we publish full details of the approach taken on our website.

"These claims are inaccurate, misleading and show a total lack of understanding of the actual position. The charity has done nothing wrong. Comic Relief keeps its costs under close control and abides by all Charity Commission regulations. Importantly, Comic Relief is committed to making sure that every pound the charity gets directly from the public is a pound that goes towards helping transform the lives of poor and vulnerable people."