The BBC Trust has suggested no further action will be taken against Jonathan Ross for his part in Russell Brand's radio show.

BBC chairman Sir Michael Lyons said "nothing" had been ruled out during the inquiry into the Andrew Sachs controversy. It sparked speculation that £6 million-a-year presenter could face further disciplinary action.

But The Trust later issued a statement which said it had ratified the BBC management's decision to suspend Ross without pay for three months as "an appropriate sanction". Radio 2 also revealed recently that Ross would return on January 24.

The statement continued: "The Trust will not pre-empt its own inquiry, but based on the oral updates it has received since October 30, it does not expect the director-general's final report to provide new information of substance relating to Jonathan Ross's role which would lead it to change its view on his part in this incident."

It will be publishing its final report on the scandal on Friday.

Ross is currently serving a three-month suspension after he and Brand caused uproar by leaving lewd messages on the Fawlty Towers actor's answering machine.

Sir Michael and BBC director-general Mark Thompson came under fire yesterday during a hearing at the House of Commons over the affair, which prompted more than 40,000 complaints.

Several apologies have been made for the comments, broadcast on Brand's Radio 2 show on October 18.

During the furore that followed Brand resigned, along with Radio 2 boss Lesley Douglas and David Barber, the Radio 2 head of specialist music and compliance.

No statements were expected to be made outside this week's BBC Trust meetings, which take place at an undisclosed location in Cardiff.

An official statement will be made by the Trust at a press conference in London on Friday.

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