RUSSELL BRAND - BBC TRUST TO PRESENT REPORT ON BRAND/ROSS ROW

BBC TRUST TO PRESENT REPORT ON BRAND/ROSS ROW

The BBC Trust is to unveil its report on the controversy surrounding lewd telephone calls made by Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand later today.

More than 37,000 complaints were received by the corporation last month after the pair left offensive voicemails on the answerphone of veteran actor Andrew Sachs.

Ross was suspended for three months without pay while Brand resigned, along with Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas.

The BBC's governing body, the BBC Trust, will present the findings of its inquiry into the matter later today (Friday November 21st), as well as a report from BBC director general Mark Thompson.

A pre-recorded edition of Brand's Saturday evening radio show, broadcast on October 18th, featured the pair leaving a number of voicemails for Fawlty Towers actor Sachs.

The messages included swearing and remarks about Brand having slept with Sachs' 23-year-old granddaughter Georgina Bailie.

After the incident was publicised by the Mail on Sunday newspaper, thousands of people complained while the affair was commented upon in parliament.

Brand and Ross were initially suspended for three days, but the former soon resigned, taking "complete responsibility" for the broadcast.

Ross' suspension followed, while Ms Douglas and Radio 2's head of specialist music and compliance David Barber also resigned.

Earlier this week BBC chiefs played down suggestions of wider failings following the prank calls controversy.

Members of the culture, media and sport committee questioned BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons and Mr Thompson over the incident, seen to have further damaged public trust in the corporation.

Sir Michael admitted the behaviour of the performers was "completely unacceptable" but dismissed any claim the BBC response was "lamentably slow".

"I refute and reject any suggestion there were further actions the Trust should have taken over that period," he said.

And Mr Thompson argued it is unreasonable not to expect human error from time to time considering the corporation's enormous output.