BBC Admits Russell Brand Prank Calls Were 'Very Serious Editorial Lapse'

The BBC has come under a strong attack from MPs over its handling of the lewd phone messages Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross left on an actors answer phone.

In the messages, broadcast on Brand's BBC Radio 2 show in October, the pair claimed the comedian has slept with actor Andrew Sachs' granddaughter, Georgina Baillie.

Brand and two other BBC employees have resigned over the matter while Ross is currently serving a three month suspension.

At a meeting of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee today (November 18th), BBC director general Mark Thompson admitted that the corporation had made “a very serious editorial lapse”.

But Mr Thompson and BBC Trust Chairman Sir Michael Lyons, who also appeared before MPs, defended the BBC's response to the matter.

"The primary failing is not the antics of performers, it's the fact it was allowed to go out," Sir Michael said.

"Until we have finished our investigations, I would be careful about terms like gross misconduct which have contractual implication.

"The BBC looks at the evidence before making its decisions."

Brand admitted recently that “more personal stuff” had been omitted at the actor's request before the show was broadcast.

Brand caused controversy in September as host of the MTV Video Music award.