SOME BBC staff are “untouchables” who are allowed to get away with bad behaviour — and in some cases “continue to thrive”, a damning review revealed yesterday.
The report, ordered in the wake of the Huw Edwards paedophile conviction, concluded that managers at the Corporation have failed to tackle unacceptable conduct.
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Bosses promised staff it would act on the findings and “draw a line in the sand” — yet critics said a similar report, commissioned in 2013 after the Jimmy Savile scandal, had not led to a clean-up.
And the stepdad of the teen who The Sun revealed was groomed and sent money by news anchor Edwards for sexual images called the review “a load of rubbish”.
He said: “They’re papering over the cracks. People knew what was going on with Huw Edwards and they ignored it. Those people should be sacked.”
The 62-page review, commissioned by the BBC’s board, concluded there was not a widespread “toxic” culture in its newsrooms and studios.
It admitted the bad behaviour of “a minority . . . is not addressed” but named no names.
It comes in the wake of the sacking of high-profile stars for inappropriate behaviour.
Ex-footballer Jermaine Jenas, 42, who was a Match of the Day pundit and a host on The One Show, was fired last summer.
Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, 34, was removed from Strictly Come Dancing following complaints.
If you are prepared to abuse power there is no place for you
at the BBCDr Samir Shah
And Gregg Wallace, 60, left his MasterChef hosting role after 13 allegations, which he denies, including inappropriate sexual comments.
BBC chairman Dr Samir Shah vowed yesterday that a “Call It Out” hotline will be set up for staff to report bad behaviour.
He said: “After today, let me state it clearly, if you think you’re too big a star or too important to live by the values of this organisation, not only are you wrong, but we will find you out.
“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.
“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.”
A joint note to staff from Mr Shah and the BBC Director-General Tim Davie stated: “Today is the day we draw a line in the sand.”
The report, to which 2,500 staff and free- lancers contributed, was ordered after Edwards, 63, admitted three counts of possessing indecent images of children.
He avoided jail last September.
The Sun had separately told how he paid a young man £35,000 for sexual pictures.
The report said those behind the unacceptable behaviour worked in roles on and off air, and were “dotted across the organisation”.
It added: “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.”
One of the consequences of this is that a small number of people can become ‘untouchable’ in the eyes of colleagues
The BBC report
The report said some presenters’ names were mentioned separately by several different employees.
It claimed the BBC put “egos and reputations” above standards, adding: “People have told us that tough decisions are avoided or resolutions delayed.
“One of the consequences of this is that a small number of people can become ‘untouchable’ in the eyes of colleagues.
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“They are known for getting away with poor behaviour, and their reputation spreads beyond their immediate team.
“The clearest indication of the avoidance of consequences is in the treatment of what used to be called ‘talent’.”
The report found that most people working “on-air/on-screen are seen as good to work with and respectful”.
But in a clear reference to Edwards, it added: “Many presenters we spoke to are embarrassed and ashamed to be associated with people who feature in the Press for their behavioural misdemeanours.”
We also heard of examples of well-known names not being held to account for poor behaviour. Some names were repeated several times
The report
One star was quoted in the report as saying: “As the so-called talent, I’m aware that no one wants to upset me, people laugh at jokes, fuss around me, can’t do enough for me — it is false and unnecessary, and I can see how, over time, some would come to expect it.”
The report went on: “We also heard of examples of well-known names not being held to account for poor behaviour. Some names were repeated several times.”
It added that it was told of presenters “who are seen to be ‘difficult’” — one an “untouchable” called out for inappropriate language.
One team member reported: “I talked to my manager about raising a complaint and was told it would be ‘career-limiting’ if I chose to.”
The report added that despite BBC values being printed on the back of staff ID passes, “what they mean is not clear”.
It added: “There is still not a shared understanding of what is acceptable and what is not acceptable behaviour, and this is mainly because of so many ‘shades of grey’ — things that are ‘close to the line’ but not clearly unacceptable.”
It said older staff told stories of “throwing furniture and drinking on the premises” and younger workers wanted clearer rules as to “what is banter and what is downright cruel or offensive”.
Another called the complaints procedure “traumatising and unsupportive”.
Three in ten freelancers who took part in the report said they had faced inappropriate behaviour.
It added: “The BBC states that it has zero tolerance for unacceptable behaviour, but the words do not align with the lived experience of a number of people.
“Some of those who exhibit unacceptable behaviour continue to thrive, and in some cases are promoted, whilst live investigations are ongoing, or grievances against them are upheld.”
Other big names axed by the BBC include opera singer Wynne Evans, 53, who is on leave from his BBC Radio Wales job after he was sacked from the Strictly Live Tour for sexual remarks.
‘Missed opportunities’
In January, the BBC apologised to staff who felt they could not speak up about Russell Brand’s behaviour as he was “too influential”.
And in February, the BBC board apologised over “missed opportunities” to tackle “bullying and misogynistic behaviour” by ex-Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood.
Two years ago, the BBC failed to investigate after we first reported on Edwards.
He was also accused by BBC staff of sending flirty and “pushy” private messages.
One said he was treated “like this God of news” who was “allowed to feel like he could get away with anything”.
His victim’s mother said of the report: “It’s good that they’ve finally addressed that the behaviour of some of their stars is unacceptable and that they’ve been allowed to get away with it.
“They want to draw a line under it but we are still waiting for the report into Huw, which I doubt we will ever get. We were ignored over and over. It’s not good enough.”
Yesterday’s report comes 12 years after a review into the paedophile Savile scandal suggested managers failed to challenge bad behaviour.
In the wake of the latest review, the Beeb will launch a new Code of Conduct, bring in a more “robust” disciplinary procedure and update future job contracts with “clear expectations around behaviour”.
Director-General Mr Davie said: “This report represents an important moment. It provides clear, practical recommendations that we are committed to implementing.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the Government considers it “a moral imperative” that the BBC implement a plan of action quickly.
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