The BBC's problems over the Jimmy Savile scandal deepened with a furious confrontation between a senior executive and a producer in the corporation’s office.
David Jordan, the head of editorial policy, is alleged to have stormed into the Panorama offices and called Newsnight producer Merion Jones “a despicable person”.
Mr Jones - whose original investigation into child abuse claims was dropped, sparking claims of a cover-up - is said to have replied robustly by criticising Mr Jordan’s role in making public statements on behalf of the corporation.
Sources said the row took place in front of other staff and was a sign of the strains that the Savile affair has put the BBC under.
The producer was said to be considering making a formal complaint about Mr Jordan’s behaviour in the incident, which took place last night.
Mr Jordan is a senior executive and sat next to the Director General two days ago during a grilling in front of the Culture Select Committee.
Tory MP Rob Wilson said the incident showed the need for a “full and transparent” investigation. He said: “There are obviously huge tensions within the BBC so for the sake of staff the Pollard Inquiry needs to complete its investigation as swiftly as possible. But it must be able to follow the evidence - and be seen to be completely transparent and open.”
Nick Pollard, the former head of Sky News, is holding a review into why the Newsnight investigation was dropped. Mr Wilson, Conservative MP for Reading East, has also written to BBC chairman Lord Patten to question the appointment of Reed Smith, a London firm that includes the BBC among its clients, as secretariat to the review.
Mr Jones said: “I’m not going to comment on it.”
A BBC spokesman said: “There was a brief discussion about an isolated event. There was a frank exchange of views but nothing more.”
Sources close to Mr Jordan strongly denied that he called Mr Jones “a despicable person”, saying that although he used the word despicable it was about an alleged breach of confidence, not about Mr Jones personally.
