BBC says Bashir 'working out notice'
BBC director-general Tim Davie has said Martin Bashir is still "working out a short notice period" at the corporation.
The broadcaster's boss said he does not yet know why Mr Bashir was rehired in 2016 but that a "quick" investigation is under way and findings are expected to be published next week.
Mr Davie was speaking following the publication of Lord Dyson's report, which criticised the methods Mr Bashir used to secure his bombshell 1995 Panorama interview with Diana, Princess of Wales, including using fake bank statements.
The report also suggested the BBC had failed to uphold "governance, accountability and scrutiny".
Asked about Mr Bashir's re-hiring in 2016, Mr Davie told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We're interviewing people, getting the documents, and we should be able to publish something next week."
Mr Davie added: "There's no doubt with what you know now – it's a big mistake."
Asked if Mr Bashir is still being paid, Mr Davie said: "He's working out a short notice period because he resigned, and that's where we are now."
Mr Bashir stepped down as religion editor and left the BBC in April citing health reasons. He had been seriously unwell with Covid-19-related complications. His three- month notice period is “almost up".
On Wednesday, The BBC board yesterday announced that it will launch a review into the effectiveness of the broadcaster's editorial policies and governance following the Dyson report.