BBC director-general Mark Thompson is baffled:

The figures showed that the BBC’s 50 highest-paid executives earned as much as £13.6million last year, with 27 paid more than the Prime Minister.

In addition, they spent tens of thousands of pounds’ worth of public money on entertaining each other, staying at top hotels around the world and showering gifts on actors and other employees.

One executive sent a £100 bouquet of flowers to Jonathan Ross, while another spent £1,137.55 on a dinner to mark Sir Terry Wogan’s knighthood.

But Mr Thompson, whose basic salary is £647,000, said: "Every one of these expenses in my view was reasonable and was justified…"

Including these little expenses by BBC TV chief Jana Bennett as well as her £100 bouquet for the vile Jonathan Ross:

In June 2005 she claimed £85.25 for a pair of engraved Tiffany cufflinks for the star.

In all Bennett, now the director of BBC Vision, claimed about £60,000 over the past five years – more than any other board member except Mark Thompson, the director general.

In February she claimed £500 towards the cost of the contents of her handbag, which was stolen from her "while on official business".

She also claimed thousands of pounds for gifts for other BBC staff, including £600 for two cakes bought to celebrate the end of the ‘Joseph’-themed talent show ‘Any Dream Will Do’ and the Sport Relief charity event…

So, to be clear.

These absurdly overpaid people are spending what is in effect taxpayers’ money buying gifts and treats for each other. And they don’t see what’s wrong with that.

No.

They don’t.