Lord Hall was right to fire Jeremy Clarkson, but even that dismissal was carried out in the cack-handed way we've come to expect from this BBC director-general. Clarkson had already been given a 'final warning' last year, following more accusations of inappropriate language and behaviour.

The first of the Corporation's values states: "Trust is the foundation of the BBC: we are independent, impartial and honest."

It emerged, On 10th March 2015, that Clarkson had been involved in what the BBC described as a 'fracas' with a producer. Naturally people who still trust the BBC would have assumed nothing much more than a serious row between the people involved. But the truth is that the producer in question, Oisin Tymon, had to be treated in hospital on account of Clarkson's physical assault.

Tony Hall would have known the all facts, but instead of being honest with the public, he approved this mealy-mouthed press statement to disguise the severity of the attack.

When Lord Hall did eventually decide that Clarkson had to go, his final words of appreciation were out of place. Opera buff Hall's claim to be a fan of Clarkson's work on Top Gear was probably untrue.

Jeremy Clarkson has been sacked by the BBC.

Reports about the story, including this Newsround report by Ayshah, and this one on the BBC's main early evening news programme, played down Clarkson's history of racist, sexist and homophobic remarks.

Tony Hall making a rare appearance in front to the cameras, laid out the BBC's position. Here, frequently looking down at notes, Hall explains his decision. And in another very similar video, presumably using the same notes, he explains himself once again.

Lord Hall appears reluctant to be interviewed on live current affairs programmes such as BBC Two's Newsnight.

The Dame Janet Smith Review was set up in October 2012. Much as the BBC would like to delay publication forever, it looks like they're now running out of excuses.

The original terms of reference mention Jimmy Savile only, but in May 2013 BBC Trust chairman, Lord Patten insisted that the inquiry should also address allegations about Stuart Hall. Accordingly the Review added separate terms of reference specifically to look into Hall's crimes. Then allegations about Dave Lee Travis surfaced. Dame Janet said "the possibility does exist that publication of the report may affect the fairness of the trial of Dave Lee Travis."

In a statement:

"For that reason and in the interests of ensuring that the independence and fairness of the criminal process is maintained, Dame Janet has decided that her report should not be delivered until after the conclusion of the trial of Dave Lee Travis.

"The BBC is aware of and agrees with this decision."

Yesterday's update suggests that Dame Janet's Report will not be published before the General Election.

The BBC is not good at dealing with criticism. Quite how bad things have become is summed up in a recent Observer article entitled The sinister treatment of dissent at the BBC. Whether Lord Hall and his cronies will be able to cope after publication of Dame Janet's Report remains to be seen, but no doubt the BBC's own journalists and editors will have a clear understanding that the Corporation is to be given an easy time. And woe betide any who fail to comply.