The head of the BBC defended on Tuesday the broadcaster's response to allegations of sex abuse by late TV star Jimmy Savile before British lawmakers, but admitted its reputation had taken a hit.
Director General George Entwistle said the world's biggest public broadcaster regretted dropping a television probe into allegations of widespread abuse of underage girls by Savile.
But Entwistle, who only took over the position this summer, denied that pressure from BBC top brass had forced flagship current affairs television show "Newsnight" to shelve its investigation late last year.
"There is no question in my mind this is a very grave matter indeed," Entwistle told parliament's Culture, Media and Sport Committee.
"One cannot look back on it with anything other than horror."
Savile, a DJ who rose to become one of the biggest and most distinctive personalities of BBC television from the 1960s until the 1980s, died last October aged 84.
Two weeks ago the BBC's commercial rival ITV aired allegations by several women about the entertainer, who was known for his shiny tracksuits, gold jewellery and ever-present cigar.
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