The troubles behind BBC Breakfast‘s famous red sofa have been a source of fascination for the British media for months, but now, internal BBC work aimed at resolving the crisis appears to be coming to a head.
The BBC drafted in a PwC consultant to help review the culture on Breakfast earlier this summer and Deadline hears that at least one strand of the work has concluded, with two sources saying editor Richard Frediani has been cleared of bullying allegations.
Although those involved in giving evidence were not made aware of the outcome of the review, Frediani is said to have told colleagues that he does not expect to face further action. The BBC never comments on individual HR matters. Frediani did not respond to a request for comment.
Deadline broke open the Breakfast saga in March, when our original investigation centered on bullying allegations against Frediani, including claims he shouted at staff, took his anger out on office furnishings, and cultivated a culture of favoritism. A month later, we revealed that senior Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty was among those thought to have misgivings about Frediani’s behavior.
Munchetty herself later became the subject of misconduct allegations. The Sun newspaper reported that the presenter had been “reprimanded” over her own behavior, including allegedly using a “crude slang term for a sex act” during an off-air discussion on Radio 5 Live. Sources have told Deadline that Munchetty’s conduct has not always made her popular with bosses. One person said work examining Munchetty’s conduct continues.
Although reductive, the Breakfast review has been framed as a battle between Frediani and Munchetty, with insiders increasingly of the view that only one will survive. The two barely speak to each other, a situation that is viewed as unsustainable. BBC insiders have also become increasingly exasperated by the parade of headlines about Breakfast unrest, with one person describing the situation as “hideous.”
Frediani being cleared represents a considerable vote of confidence in the Breakfast boss. He is known for his hard-nosed approach to journalism, but he has consistently shown that it can deliver results, with the BBC1 morning show winning the first BAFTA in its 40-year history in May. Based out of Salford, Frediani has called the shots on Breakfast, the UK’s highest-rated morning show, since September 2019.
The internal review involving the PwC lawyer is separate from the BBC investigation into Frediani last year after he was accused of physically shaking a lower-ranking female editor during a newsroom exchange. The woman complained and her grievance was upheld. Frediani’s allies have downplayed the seriousness of the alleged incident, but there are those at the BBC who think it was unacceptable as the corporation attempts to clean up its culture.
One BBC insider said Munchetty can be “overbearing,” but they would not describe her as a bully. “Her reputation is unearned,” this person said. Munchetty did not respond to a request for comment.
A BBC spokeswoman said: “While we do not comment on individual HR matters, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously.”
The post ‘BBC Breakfast’ Bullying Row: Editor Richard Frediani Tells Colleagues He’s Been Cleared Of Wrongdoing appeared first on Deadline.
