BBC must take quicker action when staff step out of line, report says
The review, led by management consultant Grahame Russell, was launched in the wake of the furore over disgraced former newsreader Huw Edwards and is understood to rule out the presence of a toxic culture but found that improvements can be made.
It is believed the review, on 'preventing abuse of power and ensuring everyone at the BBC conducts themselves in line' with its values, will also set out what the corporation expects from staff.
A BBC source said: 'This report is a pivotal moment for the BBC. It's a strong report, following a huge amount of work. There are clear, practical recommendations for change that the BBC will embrace.
'All organisations face challenges and the BBC is no exception. Now is the opportunity to deliver real change.'
It is understood to be viewed as a reset on the BBC's culture and the corporation is expected to accept the report's recommendations in full.
The reforms include improving how concerns and cases are managed, being able to spot issues earlier, more training and support and changing what should be expected in staff behaviour and conduct.
It comes following former footballer Jermaine Jenas being sacked in 2024 from The One Show after he admitted sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues, and concerns voiced by Strictly Come Dancing contestants about the duty of care on the series.
Last year also saw Gregg Wallace step away from hosting BBC cooking competition MasterChef after historical complaints came to light, and the show's production company, Banijay UK, launch an external investigation.
On Saturday, Wallace called for the 'space to heal' following his lawyers previously telling BBC News 'it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature'.
The workplace review is set to also show the progress made on Change Associates' recommendations after they led the work on the BBC's 2013 'respect at work' report.
When the BBC announced the appointment of Mr Russell's company, Change Associates, in October 2024, the corporation said it would look at how it can make sure 'the consequences of inappropriate behaviour and abuse of power are understood by everyone' and issues are dealt with promptly.
After staff attend a call with BBC chairman Samir Shah, director-general Tim Davie and Baroness Helena Kennedy, chairwoman of the board of the newly created Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA), at 11am on Monday the report will be published.
In February 2024, the BBC apologised to the family of the young person at the centre of the Edwards furore, and a report found a need for 'greater consistency' in how complaints at the corporation are processed.
That same year, the BBC guidelines on relationships in the workplace were updated.
They warn staff that using 'celebrity status' to influence people to make a decision in your favour is an 'abuse of power', and highlighted concerns over 'signs or evidence of potential grooming'.
Former BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards was sentenced to six months' imprisonment suspended for two years (Lucy North/PA)
Following the update being published, Edwards admitted a separate incident to the 2023 BBC complaint.
He was handed a suspended prison sentence in September last year after pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.
Mr Shah has admitted the former news presenter's conviction has damaged the reputation of the BBC, and the corporation is seeking the estimated £200,000 salary Edwards was paid between his arrest and leaving the corporation in April 2024.
Earlier this year, a BBC review found a number of people 'felt unable to raise' concerns about Russell Brand when he was a radio presenter at the corporation.
The BBC Board also apologised in January after a review found it 'did not take adequate action' upon learning about concerns regarding the behaviour of veteran DJ Tim Westwood.
Comedian and actor Brand, and ex-BBC Radio 1 presenter Westwood, both deny any wrongdoing or inappropriate behaviour.
They both stopped working at the corporation more than a decade ago.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
25 minutes ago
- BBC News
West Sussex sisters in final of Race Across the World
One of the sisters competing for £20,000 in this year's Race Across the World has promised viewers a "very intense" finish to the Bafta-winning and Letitia, from Worthing and Lancing respectively, have been pitting their wits against four other teams as they aim to travel from China to India without smart phones or credit pair are in second place - just seven hours behind leaders Caroline and Tom - ahead of Wednesday's ahead of transmission, Elizabeth admitted the experience has been "exhausting" but worthwhile. She told BBC Radio Sussex: "Normally when you're travelling, if you're feeling tired you can just sit down and relax... but, one, we want to have a lovely experience and we're trying to make the most of it, but two, you're in a race so it is exhausting."Balancing the desire to win against enjoying the experience has tested their resolve, and while Elizabeth says the pair know each other "way better" now, there's still a lot to learn."I feel like I have understood how much there still is to know about each other," she can only spend the cash equivalent of an airfare between the start and finish points of their travels, which span more than 8,700 miles (14,000km).Though being well-travelled and individually skilled proved helpful, the 33-year-old says the reality is "so different"."You're tired, you're confused, you think you know something... but anything can happen," she of Wednesday's finale, Elizabeth refused to reveal spoilers but said the episode is "very intense" as the remaining contestants bid to reach the final she would repeat the experience in a heartbeat, Elizabeth was depleted when she got home."I think I slept for a week in bed," she finale of Race Across the World airs on BBC One at 21:00 BST.
Edinburgh Live
29 minutes ago
- Edinburgh Live
Strictly Come Dancing's Wynne Evans takes swipe at BBC over apology 'that is not true'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Wynne Evans took a swipe at the BBC on Wednesday's This Morning as he spoke about the Strictly Come Dancing scandal. Just last month, the Welsh opera singer, 53, revealed he had been dropped by the BBC, following an apology saying that he used "inappropriate language" during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour. Talking about the Strictly scandal on Wednesday's This Morning, Wynne said of the video and "inappropriate language" used: "I was talking to Jamie Borthwick, I had this nickname for him, which was 'old' and then the word in question and 'boy'. So I used to call him this because he could contort his legs over his head!" Wynne then claimed that the nickname, which was recorded without his knowledge, was taken and given its "own narrative," spinning into the Strictly scandal, in which the words "old" and "boy" were removed. (Image: ITV) He said: "Which you can absolutely see on the video, it's absolutely crystal clear, and when we've had the volume looked at, you know, the words are there. They're there for everybody to see. "Even though I'm looking at Jamie, they claim that I'm directing this word at Janette [Manrara]. This has totally been taken out of context, absolutely. "The narrative is so wrong on it, in fact, when I saw the narrative in the newspaper, I was just shocked and horrified because instead of a nickname with another word for rotisserie in it… You know, because this guy could get his legs behind his head like a chicken, it's turned into this sexual innuendo. I was mortified, absolutely mortified by it." Wynne explained how he spoke with Janette after the incident was reported in the press: "I spoke with Janette as you know afterwards and A, she didn't hear it and B, there has never been any complaints about me ever… How can somebody take a narrative and change it and you know, everybody just believe it?" Later during the interview, Wynne claimed that the apology, which was released, wasn't approved by him, saying he was concerned it looked like he had validated the story. (Image: BBC) In a statement from the BBC read out by host Ben Shephard, it said: "The apology issued on Wynne's behalf by the Strictly Come Dancing Tour PR representative on Saturday, 25th January was fully approved by Wynne." Wynne responded live on air, claiming, "No, that's not true. I got no email, and it was not fully approved by me at all." Later in the interview, Wynne emotionally admitted that the "relentless" Strictly scandal left him suicidal, and he was supported by his family. He said, "I was at my lowest, I wanted to end my life. I would have if I hadn't of been surrounded by people." Recalling one emotional moment with his girlfriend, whom he got engaged to over the weekend, Wynne said: "I remember saying to my girlfriend: 'I have to kill myself, I have to...'" to which he choked back tears live on air. (Image: Instagram) Talking about how his friends and family have supported him, he said, "I was on the crisis team for a month, and they just looked after me the whole time. "My friends, family, and girlfriend had a rota so they could be with me 24 hours a day, sitting up with me because it was just so relentless." He added: "They've [my family] been utterly brilliant and my girlfriend has been fantastic as well." Host, Cat Deeley, then asked: "How have the BBC been?" Wynne responded, "I haven't heard from them since I got suspended. Personally, I haven't heard from them. I don't know; they've only spoken to my lawyers." This Morning host, Ben, read another statement from the BBC which said in response to Wynne's claims: "We provided comprehensive duty of care for Wynne that included support by wellbeing professionals. "He was also provided with direct access to a designated contact at the BBC who was available to assist him at anytime. Plus he has been offered continued support since his contract with the BBC concluded." Ben then asked, "Were you aware that you had that option?" Wynne responded, "No, I wasn't aware!" Reach PLC has contacted BBC for comment. *If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, you can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit
Edinburgh Live
30 minutes ago
- Edinburgh Live
Ex-Top of the Pops presenter walked away from fame as she shares heartbreaking fear
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Sarah Cawood was once one of the most prominent TV hosts of the 90s, and was a key presenter on Top of The Pops. But her life has changed dramatically two decades after her rise to fame. Sarah's first major break came in the '90s when she worked on children's TV for Nickelodeon. Two years later, she secured a presenting role on Channel 4's The Girlie Show, alongside Sara Cox. The show, which ran for two series, followed a magazine-style format, featuring interviews, live music, and stunts. The programme aired at the late 'post-pub' slot of 11pm on Fridays, positioning itself as edgier than its competitors and capitalising on the 'ladette' culture that defined the decade. Sarah then joined the revamped Live and Kicking programme for its final two years on air. (Image: BBC) Her most significant role came with Top of The Pops. After her tenure ended, she went on to present various mini-series and one-off shows, including co-commentating the Eurovision semi-finals in 2007, 2009, and 2010, reports the Daily Record. However, around this time, many of the high-profile presenting opportunities began to dwindle. In 2014, Sarah joined Heart East Anglia's breakfast show team for a year before stepping back to focus on caring for her children. Earlier this year, the star opened up about her health struggles on social media, expressing concerns about her breast cancer returning. She was initially diagnosed in 2022, underwent successful treatment, and was given the all-clear. (Image: sunday mirror) She opened up to her followers about the lingering anxiety of cancer returning. In an open Instagram message, she said: "This is the reality of anyone who has had any kind of cancer. "I never struggled with health anxiety before but post-breast cancer it's all-consuming and it wears me out a bit tbh. I have been feeling tired since the new year began and although it's probably just life-ing, there's always a niggling worry that it's back. "All I can do is carry on doing healthy things, moving my body, practising mindfulness and living each day with gratitude that I got to breathe again this morning. So on we go! Batting away those intrusive thoughts and getting on with it. (Image: ITV) "To anyone either going through a cancer diagnosis or anyone who has recovered from cancer and feels like this: I've got you, and my inbox is always open. And remember, anything that doesn't feel right: get it checked out. Early detection is key." She also took a moment to reflect on her career in television, saying she'd come to terms with no longer being in the limelight. In another heartfelt post, she remarked: "Do I miss telly? I miss the money! And yes, sometimes I wonder what went wrong, but I'm here now so I'm going to make the most of it, however, that looks".
