BBC boss backs tough interviews

Mr Thompson says restoring trust is "the most important thing I can do"

BBC director general Mark Thompson has defended the interviewing style of presenters like John Humphrys and Jeremy Paxman in a speech on trust.

The BBC boss hit back at suggestions that "less aggressive" questioning would make audiences less cynical about politics and the media.

But he conceded broadcasters had learnt salutary lessons about trust following a series of revelations last year.

The BBC will not tone down its tough political interviews, he added.

"Not on my watch," he said, while addressing an audience of politicians, policy-makers and media in London.

THE EDITORS' BLOG We should try harder to expose what I want to call 'serious spin' Mark Thompson, BBC director general Mark's comments in full

"I don't believe that the public want to see less rigour in our questioning of politicians and other public figures - if anything, they want to see more," he added.

The director general also outlined plans to strengthen the BBC's coverage of current affairs, with more in-depth investigations and "set pieces" such as last year's Iraq week.

Mr Thompson's speech addressed the difficulties the BBC faced in 2007, including the Blue Peter phone-in problem, when the results of a competition were faked, and the misrepresentation of the Queen in publicity for a documentary.

"Trust in a given institution may be based on a great tradition and great inherited values, but it depends on what you do today," he said.

"It has to be earned and earned again."