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Yesterday's update suggests that Dame Janet's Report will not be published before the General Election.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