" Gordon Brown slams Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand over “offensive and unacceptable"" prank call - mirror.co.uk
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Gordon Brown slams Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand over “offensive and unacceptable"" prank call

By Mirror.co.uk 28/10/2008

The Prime Minister today waded into the row surrounding Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand’s prank phone call to actor Andrew Sachs, condemning the pair’s actions as “offensive and unacceptable”.

He said the BBC and watchdog Ofcom must take ""appropriate action"" after the pair left four offensive messages on the Fawlty Tower star's answerphone during a Radio 2 show on Saturday.

Ofcom today pledged to investigate after the BBC revealed it had received more than 10,000 complaints over the incident.

The complaints could potentially lead to a maximum fine of £250,000 for the BBC, if Ofcom finds that the corporation has breached the Broadcasting Code.

It said in a statement: ""All UK broadcasters must adhere to Ofcom's Broadcasting Code which sets standards for the content of television and radio broadcasting.

""It also deals with issues such as fairness and privacy.""

Ofcom’s move came as the Culture Secretary Andy Burnham called on the BBC to investigate how the incident happened ""as a matter of urgency"".

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Meanwhile Justice Minister today urged Ross and Brand to apologise for the offensive phone calls made to the veteran actor, saying the pair’s behaviour was not ""appropriate"" or ""in keeping with broadcasting"".

At question time, he told MPs: ""I'm not sure it will result in prosecutions. But I do feel an apology is called for.""

Conservative leader David Cameron said: ""I think the BBC have got some very straightforward questions to answer. ""The main question is why did they allow this programme to be broadcast, given that it was pre-recorded? ""So we need to know who made the decision to broadcast it? How high up the editorial chain did it go? Who examined it? Why did they conclude that it should be broadcast?""

Fellow Tory, MP Nadine Dorries called on the BBC to end its contracts with Brand and Ross, however BBC audio and music director Tim Davie said it was ""too early to speculate"" on whether Brand or Ross will face action.

The row centres on taunts left by the pair on Sach’s answerphone during Brands’ Saturday afternoon radio show, in which they claimed Brand had bedded the veteran actor’s granddaughter.

Ross, 47, has since issued a personal apology accompanied by flowers. Brand, 33, is understood to be following suit, although Sachs reportedly said he is yet to receive a direct apology. The BBC has also apologised and promised a full investigation into how the situation happened.

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