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Tony Blackburn Sacked By BBC - Sex Probe
- Thread starter BigJoe#1
- Start date
Cityfan, thanks for the link. Having read many a report by high ranking officials in my lifetime I have to say that this report is refreshingly well presented and easy to read and follow it also appears to be very balanced and fair. Having not read it in its entirety from cover to cover I have fully read the section on Blackburn and I will paraphrase.I'm content that a senior independent High Court Judge has looked at it and thought that if someone who is the subject of it denies any knowledge of it they are likely to be lying.
Claire McAlpine in her diary alleged that she had been invited back to Balckburns flat after a show where she went and was allegedly seduced. Her mother (who is now dead) read this and immediately reported it to the BBC. They carried out an investigation but did not speak to Blackburn, though they did speak to his agent. His agent recollects that Blackburn did not go straight home but went out for a meal after the show that night. After the meal he we tho e to watch a television show. The investigation concluded that no further action would be taken unless further instructed to do so.
The response was that as an allegation had been made by a member of the public they duty bound to fully investigate and hat they should speak to Blackburn.
Ten days after the initial complaint was received the BBC solicitor confirmed that Bill Cotton (Head of Light Entertainment) had spoken to Blackburn and he flatly denied any involvement, though his recollection of the night in question differed to that of the Agent. What is of significant note here is that all documentation appeared to be intact but, and for me this is a big but, there is no memorandum of this conversation or discussion with Blackburn, it is only hearsay that has been recorded.
When the enquiry interviewed Blackburn he recalled speaking to his agent and being told that his name along with other major show business celebrities, including Framk Sinatra was in Claire's diary. He denied ever being told about an allegation being made against him or being interviewed by Bill Cotton (for which, other than hearsay there is no evidence). Initially Blackburn said it was not a lapse of memory however later, when challenged he Said he was mystified. Later in through his solicitor ha advise Dame Janet Smith she might prefer the documentary evidence to his recollections.
I ask you, what is wrong with what he has said? Does it warrant dismissal? I think not.
I would recommend the report as an interesting piece to learn his big organisation used to function, and probably to greater or lesser degree still do today.
Interesting summary and thanks for taking the effort, soundslike you and others were right about Blackburn.Cityfan, thanks for the link. Having read many a report by high ranking officials in my lifetime I have to say that this report is refreshingly well presented and easy to read and follow it also appears to be very balanced and fair. Having not read it in its entirety from cover to cover I have fully read the section on Blackburn and I will paraphrase.
Claire McAlpine in her diary alleged that she had been invited back to Balckburns flat after a show where she went and was allegedly seduced. Her mother (who is now dead) read this and immediately reported it to the BBC. They carried out an investigation but did not speak to Blackburn, though they did speak to his agent. His agent recollects that Blackburn did not go straight home but went out for a meal after the show that night. After the meal he we tho e to watch a television show. The investigation concluded that no further action would be taken unless further instructed to do so.
The response was that as an allegation had been made by a member of the public they duty bound to fully investigate and hat they should speak to Blackburn.
Ten days after the initial complaint was received the BBC solicitor confirmed that Bill Cotton (Head of Light Entertainment) had spoken to Blackburn and he flatly denied any involvement, though his recollection of the night in question differed to that of the Agent. What is of significant note here is that all documentation appeared to be intact but, and for me this is a big but, there is no memorandum of this conversation or discussion with Blackburn, it is only hearsay that has been recorded.
When the enquiry interviewed Blackburn he recalled speaking to his agent and being told that his name along with other major show business celebrities, including Framk Sinatra was in Claire's diary. He denied ever being told about an allegation being made against him or being interviewed by Bill Cotton (for which, other than hearsay there is no evidence). Initially Blackburn said it was not a lapse of memory however later, when challenged he Said he was mystified. Later in through his solicitor ha advise Dame Janet Smith she might prefer the documentary evidence to his recollections.
I ask you, what is wrong with what he has said? Does it warrant dismissal? I think not.
I would recommend the report as an interesting piece to learn his big organisation used to function, and probably to greater or lesser degree still do today.