BBC hires lawyer to investigate Breakfast bullying allegations

Telegraph

6 hours ago

The BBC has brought in an external consultant to help review the culture of its breakfast show following allegations of bullying and misconduct.
The broadcaster's HR team has seconded a lawyer from PwC to deal with the crisis, sources said. The allegations surround Richard Frediani, editor of BBC Breakfast, who is said to be on an 'extended break' from the programme.
Naga Munchetty, one of the show's presenters, is reported to be among the staff who have raised concerns.
Mr Frediani took the helm in 2019 and has been the subject of at least two misconduct complaints. One woman had her grievance upheld after claiming that Mr Frediani physically shook her during a newsroom exchange last year. Despite that finding, Mr Frediani was handed further responsibility as editor of the BBC's News at One bulletin, which moved its base to Salford last year alongside the BBC Breakfast programme.
Mr Frediani has not commented on the allegations, which also include reports of shouting, swearing and screaming at colleagues.
One person alleged that the Bafta-winning editor, who joined the BBC from ITN, where he worked on ITV News, cornered a colleague against a wall and jabbed his finger at them while complaining about that morning's show.
According to Deadline, insiders described Mr Frediani as a 'bruiser' who runs the breakfast show 'with an iron fist'.
The Sun reported that the toxic atmosphere had also driven a wedge between Ms Munchetty and her co-presenter, Charlie Stayt.
The BBC is under pressure to conduct a thorough investigation because the allegations come only weeks after it published an independent review into workplace culture. The corporation's chairman, Samir Shah, said after publication of the review that there is no place at the broadcaster for those who 'abuse power or punch down or behave badly'. The review told of 'untouchable' star names who were allowed to get away with bad behaviour, but also referred to some executives behind the camera.
It said: 'We heard about a minority of people who behave unacceptably and whose behaviour is not addressed and impacts employees and freelancers. These people work in both on and off-air roles, dotted across the organisation in different functions and departments.
'They are often in positions where power could be abused. Even though they are small in number, their behaviour creates large ripples which negatively impact the BBC's culture and external reputation.
'[The BBC] states it has zero tolerance for unacceptable behaviour, but the words do not align with the actual experience of some people working with or for the corporation.'
'Failure to act on Tim Westwood's behaviour'
Responding to the allegations about the culture of BBC Breakfast, a 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 without 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.'
In February, the BBC admitted that it had failed to act on concerns about Tim Westwood's 'bullying and misogynistic behaviour' during his years as a Radio DJ. Westwood declined an invitation to cooperate with the inquiry, citing the ongoing Met investigation, but has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct. The broadcaster said that such behaviour 'was entirely incompatible with BBC values'.