With the formal inquest into the suicide of British nurse Jacintha Saldanha to take place in London just 10 days from now, a spokesperson for 2Day FM has admitted that no permission had been granted to broadcast the prank call that preceded her death.

It was, however, not from lack of trying, a source at the station telling the SMH, “We can confirm that four follow up calls were made to seek permission to air the call within an hour of the [prank call] being made. Telstra has verified the calls as coming from our Sydney studio and all being received at the same number in London [at the King Edward VII’s Hospital where Saldanha worked].”

The follow up calls were made by the production team, rather than the presenters, Mel Greig and Michael Christian. It has been reported that after four separate calls, without gaining permission, it was decided to go ahead and put the prank call to air anyway since those on the receiving end in London were unlikely to be identified from a program broadcast in Australia. Read more in the SMH.

In early February this year, British prosecutors had stated that neither the station nor the announcers had a case to answer. But by July, they were suggesting Australian Police take another look at the case. So far, the matter has been taken no further.

With 2Day having admitted that they didn’t get permission, the next question is whether it matters – given the broadcast took place on the other side of the planet from where the prank call was made. The NSW Police, and the ACMA will likely be watching the British inquest closely to see which way they rule before taking action, if any, of their own.

Read Peter Saxon’s earlier comment here. Read Steve Ahern’s comment here.