Jimmy Savile affair: The key players

George Entwistle

A popular choice as Director General, the BBC careerist has been pitched into a news crisis that threatens his position.

Liz MacKean

One of the BBC’s most experienced female journalists, she is taking voluntary redundancy after 12 years on Newsnight..

Meirion Jones

Experienced investigative journalist who is best known for his award-wining exposé of Trafigura’s dumping of toxic waste in Africa.

Peter Rippon

Editor of Newsnight for the past four years, he has a background in radio. Regarded as being cerebral but cautious.