BBC adrift after Hutton tempest

The BBC began the week with a confident self-analysis of its role in the death of weapons expert David Kelly — a report on the ‘‘Panorama’’ programme that sought to live up to its standards of fairness and objectivity. By the week’s end, the BBC was facing the gravest crisis in its 82-year history, its future uncertain after an unexpectedly blistering critique from senior judge Lord Hutton forced the resignation of its chairman and director general.

The BBC’s status as a self-governing pillar of British life, funded by more than £2 billion a year in licence levies, has never been less certain. Its charter is up for review, staff are angry and its independence could be curtailed. Acting Chairman Richard Ryder, stepping in after the resignation of Gavyn Davies on Wednesday, apologised for the BBC’s errors in the Kelly affair — a move that if taken when the conflict first erupted might have averted much controversy, and saved the jobs of Greg Dyke and Davies.

‘‘I think mistakes were clearly made by the BBC and that’s life,’’ said Dyke.

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The long-time TV executive took a huge gamble by backing Andrew Gilligan’s story that the government ‘‘sexed up’’ intelligence about banned Iraqi weapons.

That bet went wrong with the publication of the Hutton report. Lord Hutton excoriated the BBC for nearly every aspect of its operations, from ‘‘defective’’ editorial systems to a lack of oversight from the board of governors.

The unexpectedly harsh verdict from Hutton left the BBC without its two top leaders and a damaged reputation.

-Reuters