Former BBC DG Mark Thompson avoids pay-off questions

The former director general of the BBC Mark Thompson has avoided questions about his role in signing off excessive payments to departing BBC executives.

In a letter to MPs investigating the issue, Mr Thompson accused the BBC Trust of misleading parliament on the issue.

BBC Trust Chairman Lord Patten denied the accusations and described them as "bizarre".

Mr Thompson is due to appear before the Public Accounts Committee on Monday where he said he will answer questions.