Top BBC news chiefs 'step aside'

NEW: The BBC says the action was taken while a review was under way Helen Boaden, the BBC's director of news, is stepping aside pending an internal review The review is examining a BBC report that falsely implicated a former political official The BBC also faces criticism over its handling of allegations against Jimmy Savile London (CNN) -- The British Broadcasting Corporation's director and deputy director of news have "stepped aside" pending a review over a report that falsely implicated a former senior political official in a child sex scandal, the media organization said Monday. It is the latest fallout over the report that has rocked one of the world's oldest and most respected media organizations, and the move follows the weekend resignation of George Entwistle as BBC's director general. News director Helen Boaden and her deputy, Steve Mitchell, have been asked to "surrender all their responsibilities" pending the outcome of the review, the BBC said in a statement. "The BBC wants to make it absolutely clear that neither Helen Boaden nor Stephen Mitchell had anything to do with the failed Newsnight investigation into Lord McAlpine," the statement said. "Whilst recognizing this, the BBC 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 ... review being unable to exercise their normal authority." The BBC said it expects the two to return to their positions following the conclusion of the independent review set up the media organization. On November 2, BBC's Newsnight aired the sex abuse claims against a senior political figure of the 1980s. Days later, the victim admitted he identified the wrong man. UK PM handed 'pedophile' list on live TV NY Times' connection to BBC scandal The BBC aired on apology on Friday, but it did little to contain the fallout from the false accusation. It was the second major crisis to hit the BBC within months. In late September, the BBC became embroiled in a scandal over its handling of sexual abuse allegations against its late TV presenter Jimmy Savile. The scandal exploded amid revelations that BBC's Newsnight pulled a report into allegations against Savile ahead of a planned tribute to the late TV presenter by the news organization scheduled to air later this year. Entwistle and others were called in front of lawmakers to answer for the scandal surrounding Savile, who authorities say was suspected of having sexually abused young women and girls, sometimes on BBC premises. "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," the BBC said. Boaden served as director of BBC News when the decision was made to pull the Savile report, the BBC reported. "Ms. Boaden has overall editorial and managerial responsibility for UK-wide and global news and current affairs on radio, television and oneline," according to a BBC report. The news about Boaden came the same day the BBC announced it was reestablishing a single management team "to address the lack of clarity around the editorial chain of command." The announcement followed the findings of a BBC review into the Newsnight broadcast that falsely implicated the political official, Sonia Cooper, the BBC's chief press officer, said. A public statement about the findings was expected later in the day, she said. CNN's Richard Allen Greene and Alexander Felton contributed to this report.