What a bunch of cox sackers However, she was not satisfied and escalated her concerns to the BBC's "editorial complaints unit," which tried a different approach in response. It said that "the words were actually enunciated with a considerable degree of care and that, particularly, the "a" in "sackers" was very carefully sounded so that the word actually being used was quite clear." It concluded that "it is the kind of joke which is not to everyone's taste and may well upset some listeners," but it was not a breach of the editorial guidelines. Still not satisfied, the woman then asked the BBC Trust to investigate. It's editorial standards committee has now delivered its verdict, in more than five pages of a report. As part of its investigation, the committee consulted an earlier, Ofcom study into the use of specific rude words. That report had concluded that the word which closely resembles the phrase "cox sackers" was "seen as offensive across all audience groups." After repeated listening to the offending phrase, the panel members decided that the words were not articulated clearly enough and could easily have been misheard. Based on this, it ruled the use of the phrase had "exceeded generally accepted standards." Although the panel decided that "very few" children listen to Radio 4, it was concerned that the word was broadcast during the "school run." Although it can request programmes to make an apology, the panel did not do so - possibly to avoid the offending phrase being said again. Instead, the committee said that the segment should not be featured in any repeats of the show. The panel, made up of trust members Alison Hastings, Sonita Alleyne, Richard Ayre, David Liddiment and Bill Matthews, made their decision in March, although the verdict has only just been released. Taylor is a former sociology professor at the University of York and Thinking Allowed, broadcast since 1998, focuses on the latest social science research. The initial item which landed Taylor in trouble had concerned an article published in the British Journal of Sociology about the importance of achieving the correct rhythm when rowing. The presenter interviewed one of the authors, Professor Anthony King, from Exeter University, who explained that they had studied the 2007 Cambridge Boat Race crew as part of their research. The academics had found that political and social factors came into play, as well as physical technique, and it was very important to have social harmony within the rowing team. The researcher revealed that there had been conflicts in the team, which had resulted the cox, Russ Glenn, being sacked less than two weeks before the race. His teammates had claimed his "calls" were too aggressive and said his departure brought the team closer together. After this decision, the team's stroke improved and they went on to win the race that year. The email that Taylor read out the following week was from a listener in New York, who appeared to be making fun of the pseudo-scientific approach to what was apparently a straightforward physical skill. The email read: "Many thanks to your contributors for their insight into the social dynamics of the Cambridge Boat Race crew ... "Heavens to Betsy" what a bunch of cox sackers."