The first Tuesday in May was an awkward day for BBC newsreaders. Once again the main headlines were dominated by scandals within their own institution. One of their most well-known presenters had admitted to 14 indecent assaults on 13 victims aged as young as 9, and a report was published citing "a strong undercurrent of fear" that stopped BBC employees speaking out about sexual harassment or bullying.
"Stuart could do what Stuart could do," said a former studio worker on It's A Knockout, the BBC gameshow that Stuart Hall hosted in Manchester. And no one would dare blow the whistle.
It is just over a month since Tony Hall assumed his position as director general of the BBC and he has already faced two public skirmishes. There was an almighty row over Panorama's covert filming in North Korea, with the corporation accused of hoodwinking students about the presence of an undercover reporter on their trip.