Folkiedave: That 'World at One' newscast was covered in the 'Diary' section of today's Guardian. For those who don't know, that section is very light-hearted and perhaps more of a comic than serious writing. Nevertheless, here's what it says:

Hats off, first of all, to Lord Hutton for such a splendidly balanced report. Quickest out of the traps for the gloaters yesterday was ex defence minister John Glbert. He excelled himself on The World at One by seeming to hint at an illicit connection between BBC head of news Richard Sambrook and Newsnight's Susan Watts (now on maternity leave), speaking darkly of their "relationship". When presenter Nick Clarke asked what he meant, Lord G replied he knew exactly what he meant - at which point Clarke cut him off to avoid broadcasting a major libel. Marvellous work, Marina tells Lord G, but what were you on about? "Well, they got it totally wrong ... I mean, the presenter was so ignorant of the background that he tought I was talking about some kind of sexual relationship." Well, it did sound that way, to be honest. "Look, do YOU have any idea of the background of this?" What, the fact she hired her own lawyers as she felt under pressure from Sambrook? "Ah, well you do know then," he says. Marina points out that "relationship" sounds questionable. "Well, if one unfortunate word slipped out ..." It's difficult, live broadcasting, isn't it? Perhaps you should've scripted your two-way to avoid the risk of a monsterous howler? "Er, ... yes, I quite see."
Well done.