The BBC suspends all Newsnight investigations...

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The BBC press office released the following statement tonight (November 9):



"On 2 November, Newsnight broadcast a report that looked into criticism of the North Wales Abuse Tribunal. The report included an interview with Steve Messham, an abuse victim who said that a senior political figure of the time had abused him.

"We broadcast Mr Messham's claim but did not identify the individual concerned. Mr Messham has tonight made a statement that makes clear he wrongly identified his abuser and has apologised. We also apologise unreservedly for having broadcast this report."

BBC Director-General George Entwistle also tonight ordered the following actions:

1. A senior news executive has been sent in to supervise tonight's edition of Newsnight.

2. An apology will be carried in full on Newsnight tonight.

3. Ken MacQuarrie, Director BBC Scotland, will write an urgent report for the DG covering what happened on this Newsnight investigation.

4. There will be an immediate pause in all Newsnight investigations to assess editorial robustness and supervision.

5. There will be an immediate suspension of all co-productions with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism across the BBC.

McAlpine has stated that he is reserving the right to sue.

Tonight's Newsnight - hosted by BBC Radio 4 presenter Eddie Mair - contained the corporation's apology, as well as a discussion about the fiasco featuring Steve Hewlett and Esther Rantzen.

Signing off, Mair commented: "That's all we have for tonight. Newsnight will be back on Monday. Probably."

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A senior news executive has been sent in to supervise tonight's edition of Newsnight.

Why the hell wasn't that done from the very beginning?

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Watch Friday's Newsnight on iPlayer: