“The Newsnight investigation uncovered information of which Surrey Police was not aware, and moreover allegations were made about living people. Surely the BBC had a duty to inform the police about these disclosures? Yet there is no indication that it has done so, and the BBC has refused to answer questions about this. Furthermore, given that Savile was on the BBC’s payroll for more than 25 years, and along with the other celebrities who are still alive, is alleged to have abused minors on BBC premises, shouldn’t the Corporation have launched an in-house inquiry?

When asked if BBC Director-General Mark Thompson knew of the Newsnight report, the BBC refused to comment. But a source has told me that Thompson was tackled about the axing of the report at a pre-Christmas drinks party, so he cannot claim to be ignorant of it.”

Dark stuff…

Whispers in the wind of a potential BBC scandal developing. Guido understands that tomorrow’s edition of The Oldie magazine will shed some more light on rather unpleasant allegations about the late Sir Jimmy Savile and why a Newsnight report suggesting that he molested underage girls was mysteriously spiked.

Apparently The Oldie will reveal that the Newsnight report contained evidence that the abuse of minors involving Savile that took place on BBC premises in the 1970s and that two other celebrities – both still alive – were involved as well. Boom…

The BBC said in December that Newsnight’s report was never aired because there was not enough proof, but that line is now looking shaky. The article will allege that Mark Thompson has known of this contentious story for weeks. It seems there could be some intriguing questions for the DG to answer in the coming days…

Brillo and Co. are launching the new Daily Politics and Sunday show next week, which is said to have a Newsnight style politically balanced pundit panel. They are keeping the pundits under wraps…

Guido notes with some interest that Osborne’s biographer and Economist hack Janan Ganesh has just started tweeting, as has the Sunday Times’ Political Editor Isabel Oakshott. The Labour Party councillor and Guardian writer Rowenna Davis  has also upped her twitter game recently. Could they be preparing for some regular debate?

He has two Christmas DVDs out. Publicity you can’t buy…

After advocating an Augusto Pinochet style industrial relations policy: “Frankly, I would have them all shot. I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families.” Jeremy Clarkson appears to have performed a policy u-turn.

Mind you, Guido can’t actually locate the statement of apology, has he really apologised or has the BBC apologised on his behalf?

UPDATE: The exact form of words he used was “I didn’t for a moment intend these remarks to be taken seriously – as I believe is clear if they’re seen in context. If the BBC and I have caused any offence, I’m quite happy to apologise for it alongside them.” Looks a little mealy-mouthed…

#Newsnight Political Editor due to be announced rumour has it runners include @JPonpolitics, Anne McElvoy, NickWatt, Allegra Stratton…—
adamboulton (@adamboultonSKY) November 21, 2011

Jon Pienaar would keep things internal, with a return to the screens from Radio 5. Boulton’s other tips Anne McElvoy and Nick Watt have been popping up a lot on camera recently, on the Daily Politics and particularly This Week. A bit of screen testing? 

The Guardian’s Allegra Stratton worked at the BBC before and is wired in more than most, especially to the left, which would make a change from her would-be predecessor Michael Crick who had them running to the hills rather than dripping tips in his ears. Beeboids suggest that the fact that the show isn’t doing so well will make it hard to pull a big new name for the gig, making it more likely to be someone with some clout in the building already. Guido would put a readies on Pienaar if there was a book open…

“It would be better for Labour and the country if you weren’t there… You were there in Treasury…you are the problem. When I hear you I just want to switch off because you have no credibility in what you say… the Labour Party would be better served, even if the message was the same, if it wasn’t coming from you, more people would listen. If you’re trying to get your message across it’s not working because you are tainted with what went before.” *

Victoria Derbyshire summed it up nicely “What Lee is saying is you, Ed Balls, are toxic”.

Radio gold…

*Guido was typing while listening and laughing.

UPDATE: It kept on going:

Caller to Balls: "You may have a credible voice now, but why didn't you use it when Gordon Brown was spending all the money?"—
Harry Cole (@MrHarryCole) November 17, 2011

Guido is rather chuffed to have got hold of one of the first new ones…