BBC Boss Yentob Accused of Trying to Nobble Newsnight Probe

The BBC's Creative Director, who is also the Chairman of Kids Company, stands accused of trying to halt a Newsnight probe into the Government's decision to withhold £3m of funding from the charity.

An article in today's Daily Mail, jointly written by Savile-exposer Miles Goslett and Katherine Rushton, claims that Alan Yentob telephoned the Newsnight team just hours before the feature was due to air.

According to reports, Mr Yentob attempted to influence the Newsnight team by claiming it was not in the public interest to broadcast the feature, which highlighted concerns about the charity's financial management.

Kids Company is accused of handing out cash to youngsters without proper controls, some of which has then been spent on alcohol and drugs. The Government has said it will withhold £3m of funding unless Camila Batmanghelidjh stands down as the charity's Chief Executive.

The morning after the Newsnight feature Mr Yentob accompanied Ms Batmanghelidjh during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Mr Yentob didn't speak during the interview, but sat in the background to oversee its conduct. Critics have said his presence may have been a ploy to encourage Today staff to go easy on her.

A BBC insider said: "It is highly irregular for a senior BBC executive to have been hanging around the Today studios at that time of day. He doesn't work on the programme and shouldn't have been there."

Last night Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen said there was a "clear conflict of interests here" and called for Mr Yentob's resignation.

"Was Alan Yentob ringing Newsnight as a BBC executive or as Kids Company chairman? Either way, he must quit the BBC or Kids Company straight away," he said.

Mr Yentob is said to be "livid" that Newsnight is set to broadcast more damaging revelations about Kids Company tonight. If you have a valid TV licence (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) you can see the latest developments at 10.30 pm on BBC Two.