MPs summon BBC deputy chief over fake competitions

By Paul Majendie

LONDON (Reuters) - A parliamentary committee said on Thursday it will summon the BBC's deputy director general to answer concerns about a string of fake phone-in competitions that has tarnished the British public broadcaster's reputation.

Mark Byford and the BBC's Chief Operating Officer Caroline Thomson have been told to appear before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee next Tuesday over "widespread and systemic problems" in the use of premium-rate telephone services.

The committee will also hear evidence from Michael Grade, the Executive Chairman of commercial broadcaster ITV.

The announcement came hours after the BBC suspended some senior editors over the issue.

"We can confirm that some senior editorial leaders have been asked to step back from their duties. We cannot give any numbers or details," a BBC spokeswoman said.

The BBC, one of the world's most respected broadcasters, said it was suspending phone-related competitions from Thursday after admitting it had put fake winners on air in a number of programmes, including popular charity fund-raising shows.

BBC Director-General Mark Thompson told staff in an email on Thursday: "We believe that trust is the cornerstone of the BBC's brand and heritage across the world."

"We cannot and will not allow anything to risk our reputation for integrity with our audiences."