The BBC has been blasted in a damning report which says some staff are ‘untouchables’ who can get away with unacceptable behaviour.
The report, which was ordered after former news anchor Huw Edwards‘ paedophile conviction, declared that managers at the BBC have failed to stop bad conduct.
The damning findings report concludes: ‘Even though they are small in number, their behaviour creates large ripples which negatively impact the BBC’s culture and external reputation.’
Now corporation bosses vowed to act on the findings and ‘draw a line in the sand’.
But critics said a similar report commissioned in 2013 after the Jimmy Saville scandal failed to make significant changes.
In September last year, Edwards was handed a six-month suspended sentence for accessing sex abuse images of children as young as seven.
The 63-year-old previously admitted three charges of ‘making’ indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by convicted paedophile Alex Williams over WhatsApp.
The stepfather of the teenager who was groomed and transferred money by Edwards for sexual images branded the review ‘a load of rubbish’, The Sun reported.
In September last year, former BBC presenter Huw Edwards was handed a six-month suspended sentence for accessing sex abuse images of children as young as seven
Last August, Jermaine Jenas was abruptly sacked by the BBC from his £190,000 job on The One Show for sending ‘inappropriate messages’ to two female colleagues
MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace, 60, stepped down from MasterChef last year while complaints from 13 women about historical allegations of misconduct were investigated. Wallace denied the allegations
‘They’re papering over the cracks. People knew what was going on with Huw Edwards and they ignored it. Those people should be sacked,’ he said.
The review, which is 62 pages long and was commissioned by the BBC’s board, concluded there was not a widespread ‘toxic’ culture within the corporation’s studios and newsrooms.
It accepted the bad behaviour of ‘a minority…is not addressed’ but did not name any individuals.
Last August, Jermaine Jenas was abruptly sacked by the BBC from his £190,000 job on The One Show for sending ‘inappropriate messages’ to two female colleagues.
He later admitted to the messages and said they left him feeling ashamed and fighting to save his 13-year marriage to Ellie Penfold.
Jenas was axed from The One Show and Match of The Day.
And MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace, 60, stepped down from MasterChef last year while complaints from 13 women about historical allegations of misconduct were investigated. Wallace denied the allegations.
This month, Russell Brand, who presented a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008, was charged with rape, indecent assault, oral rape and two counts of sexual assault against four women.
This month, Russell Brand, who presented a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008, was charged with rape, indecent assault, oral rape and two counts of sexual assault against four women
Strictly pro dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked last year after claims of gross misconduct. Di Prima stated that he ‘deeply regretted’ the events that led to his departure from the show
Giovanni Pernice was forced to leave BBC’s Strictly over bullying claims. In a statement, he refuted the allegations
Brand hit out at the serious allegations against him, accusing the government of turning the law into ‘a weapon’, before repeating previous denials that he has ever engaged in non-consensual sex.
The Beeb has now vowed to ‘improve workplace culture’.
BBC Chair Dr Shah on Monday told staff on Monday: ‘There is a minority of people whose behaviour is simply not acceptable. And there are still places where powerful individuals – on and off screen – can abuse that power to make life for their colleagues unbearable.
‘The report makes several recommendations that prioritise action over procedural change – which is exactly right. It also addresses some deep-seated issues: for example, the need to make sure everyone can feel confident and not cowed about speaking up.
‘I support the idea that we need to reinforce the behavioural expectations and standards we have for everyone who works with or for the BBC.’
He added: ‘In the end, it’s quite simple: if you are a person who is prepared to abuse power or punch down or behave badly, there is no place for you at the BBC.’
The review heard from a massive 2,500 employees and freelancers to get a sense of the organisation – and how they felt about being a part of it.
Director-General Tim Davie said: ‘This report represents an important moment for the BBC and the wider industry. It provides clear, practical recommendations that we are committed to implementing at pace.
‘I’m grateful to everyone who took part and contributed.
‘The action we are taking today is designed to change the experience of what it is to be at the BBC for everyone and to ensure the values we all sign up to when we arrive here – the values that, for most of us, are what made us want to come to the BBC in the first place – are lived and championed by the whole organisation each and every day.’
BBC Chair Dr Shah told staff:’There is a minority of people whose behaviour is simply not acceptable. And there are still places where powerful individuals – on and off screen – can abuse that power to make life for their colleagues unbearable.
‘The report makes several recommendations that prioritise action over procedural change – which is exactly right. It also addresses some deep-seated issues: for example, the need to make sure everyone can feel confident and not cowed about speaking up.
‘I support the idea that we need to reinforce the behavioural expectations and standards we have for everyone who works with or for the BBC.’
He added: ‘In the end, it’s quite simple: if you are a person who is prepared to abuse power or punch down or behave badly, there is no place for you at the BBC.’
Director-General Tim Davie said: ‘This report represents an important moment for the BBC and the wider industry. It provides clear, practical recommendations that we are committed to implementing at pace. I’m grateful to everyone who took part and contributed.
‘The action we are taking today is designed to change the experience of what it is to be at the BBC for everyone and to ensure the values we all sign up to when we arrive here – the values that, for most of us, are what made us want to come to the BBC in the first place – are lived and championed by the whole organisation each and every day.’
