I think the argument of 'he should have known what he was getting in for' is no excuse. It's one thing to be insulted in person, another to have it done while you're not there.

Why is the prime-minister getting involved? This is a matter for the beeb.

Basically I don't think presenters should phone up celeb answering machines and leave real, insulting messages on air without them knowing. Brand and Ross knew what they were doing.