BBC Breakfast stars warn 'truth will come out' in bullying probe as they defend boss
BBC Breakfast show boss Richard Frediani has been defended by staff amid the bullying allegations against him with host Naga Munchetty said to be one of the people who raised concerns about him.
BBC Breakfast insiders have rushed to defend the controversial boss at the centre of a bullying investigation with one insisting:'The truth will out.' Show boss Richard Frediani is currently on extended leave from the programme following complaints about his behaviour.
Host Naga Munchetty is also said to not get on with the executive. However, other former and current staff on BBC Breakfast have showcased their fierce loyalty towards him. One told the Mirror: 'He is not a bully at all and the truth will come out.
"He's a great boss and was - and is still - overwhelmingly loved by the team, who respect his drive, expertise, and journalistic ambition. He has delivered great audiences and the first ever Bafta or for breakfast TV. He can be brash and opinionated but works so hard for his team and allows people to flourish.'
A second insider claimed that some staff were disappointed with Munchetty who allegedly raised her concerns about Frediani's management style with BBC bosses, the Mirror reports.
The source said: 'Yes, he is old-school and can rub people up the wrong way but it's always in the pursuit of great television. It's the best-rating breakfast show in the country - it's not supposed to be a walk in the park.
"Some - Naga included - need to understand this. It feels like it's a case of presenter power turfing out a brilliant journalist.'
Co-host Charlie Stayt is also said to have a complicated relationship with Frediani.
Frediani has been the editor of the BBC show since September 2019. He recently had his role expanded to include the flagship News at One.
In March, Deadline reported how Frediani was the subject of at least two misconduct complaints, including one from a woman who had her grievance upheld after claiming he physically shook her during a newsroom exchange last year.
Some also alleged they felt he had showed visible anger over mistakes being made on-air, while one person claimed to have witnessed him storm of the production gallery and kick a wastebasket.
An internal probe is now being carried out following the allegations of bullying.
An HR adviser from consultancy firm PwC is also supporting the corporation as it looks into the culture of the morning TV show.
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In April, BBC bosses Tim Davie and Samir Shah vowed that 'today is the day we draw a line in the sand' after an independent review found some 'well-known names' are 'not being held to account for poor behaviour'.
The workplace culture review, led by management consultant Grahame Russell from Change Associates, was launched in the light of the uproar over disgraced former newsreader Huw Edwards.
A BBC spokesperson said: 'While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed.'
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