[13] In November 2012, Unsworth was appointed acting director of News after Helen Boaden stepped aside while Nick Pollard prepared his report into the BBC's non-coverage of the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal.

[16] In August 2014, Unsworth ordered helicopter filming of a police raid on a mansion belonging to singer Cliff Richard.

[17] On 8 May 2018, The Guardian reported: "Sir Cliff Richard is seeking a payment of at least £560,000 from the BBC following the broadcaster's coverage of a police raid at his home in 2014."

Unsworth apologised to Richard and stated that "there were elements of its coverage that should have been handled differently" but criticised the ruling as an attack on liberty and press freedoms.

[18][19] In January 2018, she was invited to present evidence at a parliamentary select committee meeting on gender pay gap at the BBC.

[20] Gracie also reported that Unsworth had privately commented to a colleague that the pay gap was due to her being part-time.

[21] Unsworth denied this stating "I did the contract, I knew she wasn't" but apologised to her for causing a 'misunderstanding' due to 'loose' language.