Helen Boaden 'steps aside' as head of BBC News

Newsnight itself appears to be safe for now - ending widespread speculation that it could be axed - with Karen O'Connor, a former deputy editor of the BBC2 programme, returning as acting editor, the Guardian reports.

The BBC confirmed Boaden and Mitchell were stepping away from day-to-day management of BBC News on Monday morning, as the corporation was also facing widespread criticism after it emerged that George Entwistle, who resigned as director general late on Saturday, will receive a full year's salary of £450,000 in lieu of notice - despite only being in the job for 54 days.

Boaden will be replaced on a temporary basis by by Fran Unsworth, head of the BBC newsroom. The Radio 4 Today programme editor Ceri Thomas will take over Mitchell's deputy role in an acting capacity.

Monday's announcement came after Ken MacQuarrie, director of BBC Scotland, reported his findings into the Newsnight story on 2 November that mistakenly linked a Conservative peer to allegations of child sexual abuse

Tim Davie, the acting BBC director general, is expected to set out details of the MacQuarrie report's findings later on Monday, briefing staff and doing broadcast interviews.

In a statement, the BBC said Boaden and Mitchell were stepping aside: "To address the lack of clarity around the editorial chain of command, a decision has been taken to re-establish a single management to deal with all output, Savile related or otherwise."

"Helen Boaden has decided that she is not in a position to undertake this responsibility until the Pollard review has concluded.

"Consideration is now being given to the extent to which individuals should be asked to account further for their actions and if appropriate, disciplinary action will be taken."

Boaden and Mitchell were already "recused" from Savile-related coverage - including the 2 November Newsnight report - because of their involvement in the handling of the BBC2's current affairs programme's abandoned Jimmy Savile sex abuse investigation in late 2011. Former head of Sky News Nick Pollard is leading an inquiry into management's handling of that story.

The BBC said it wanted to make "absolutely clear" that Boaden and Mitchell had nothing to do with the 2 November Newsnight report.

"Whilst recognising this, the BBC also believes there is a lack of clarity in the lines of command and control in BBC News as a result of some of those caught up in the Pollard review being unable to exercise their normal authority.

"In the circumstances Helen and Stephen will be stepping aside from their normal roles until the Pollard review reports and they expect to then return to their positions."

Details also here