George Entwistle 'was paid double to go quietly' Details of how Mr Entwistle's payout was agreed emerged as an internal review by Ken MacQuarrie, the director of BBC Scotland, found that the BBC Newsnight report was rushed out in just five days, during which there was "widespread confusion" about who was responsible for signing it off. The BBC last night identified Peter Johnston, the director of BBC Northern Ireland, as being involved in "key decisions" to go ahead with the broadcast. The executive is likely to face disciplinary proceedings. The corporation is also facing a rebellion from its own staff over failings in its handling of the Newsnight investigation into Jimmy Savile and the programme's story on Lord McAlpine. Helen Boaden, the head of news, and her deputy, Stephen Mitchell, were yesterday told to "stand aside" over their role in the Savile scandal. The pair have instructed lawyers to represent them in their dealings with the corporation after being relieved of their positions until the conclusion of an internal review. If they are sacked after the inquiry they are refusing to "go without a fight." But it was the issue of Mr Entwistle's compensation package that attracted most criticism from MPs. In a letter to John Whittingdale, the Tory MP who chairs the culture, media and sport select committee, Lord Patten said the payment was "justified and necessary." He said that had Mr Entwistle not made the "honourable offer" to resign he would have been sacked, in which case he would have been given a full year's pay. "In circumstances where we needed to conclude matters quickly and required George's ongoing co-operation in a number of very difficult and sensitive matters, including the inquiries into issues associated with Savile, I concluded that a consensual resignation on these terms was clearly the better route," he wrote. I consulted my colleagues on the trust's remuneration committee and took legal advice. Our conclusion was that a settlement on these terms was justified and necessary. The alternative was long drawn-out discussions and continuing uncertainty at a time when the BBC needs all of its focus to be on resolving fundamental issues of trust in BBC journalism. Maria Miller, the Culture Secretary, urged Mr Entwistle to forfeit part of his severance payment and suggested that the National Audit Office investigate. "This payout is difficult to justify," she said. It is for Mr Entwistle to decide whether it is appropriate to accept this payment. The audit office said it was prepared to review whether the payout represented value for money. Lord Patten made the deal after a conference call with lawyers and the agreement of two members of the BBC Trust's remuneration committee. They were Diane Coyle, the vice-chairman of the trust and a former government economist, and Anthony Fry, an investment banker. Mrs Coyle is married to Rory Cellan-Jones, the BBC's technology correspondent. She is paid £77,005 a year to work two and a half days a week for the BBC Trust and since last year has also acted as an unpaid adviser to Chuka Umunna, the shadow business secretary. She declined to comment yesterday. Mr Fry, previously an investment banker with Rothschilds who is now chairman of the Espirito Santo Investment Bank, joined the BBC Trust in November 2008. He has been a persistent critic of the high pay of BBC executives. He declined to comment on the decision to give Mr Entwistle a £450,000 payout. However, a source close to the board said both Mr Fry and Mrs Coyle believed the payout was justified. "They agree with Lord Patten," said the source. The whole organisation is a mess, which is what George Entwistle identified but was unable to do anything about during his short tenure. Tim Davie, the acting director-general, said he was determined to "get a grip" at the corporation and set up a "clear line of command" in news. John Mann, a Labour MP, said in a Commons debate that the BBC Trust chairman had to go. "How can the BBC move on unless and until Lord Patten is sacked?" he said.