Reports of the BBC’s handling of complaints about MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace are “deeply troubling”, the head of a TV workers’ union has said.
Wallace has stepped back from presenting the BBC cooking show after accusations he made sexual comments towards staff and celebrity guests on a range of programmes over 17 years.
The Bectu union, which represents more than 40,000 staff, contract and freelance workers in the media and entertainment industries, says the way in which complaints have previously been handled by the BBC will make others worried about speaking out.
“Misogyny, intimidation, ageism and sexual harassment should have no place in modern workplaces,” head of Bectu Philippa Childs said in a statement sent to Sky News.
“Yet time and again we see that these issues continue to run rampant in the creative industries – propped up by inadequate reporting mechanisms, a lack of accountability and an industry that enables extreme power dynamics and ‘untouchable’ talent.
“Reports that the BBC previously internally investigated complaints about Wallace and concluded that aspects of his behaviour were unacceptable are deeply troubling – is it any wonder that film and TV freelancers, many of them worrying about their next job, think twice about sticking their head above the parapet?
“Unless the industry draws a line in the sand and collectively takes meaningful action, we will be in the same place next week, in 6 months, a year’s time. Historical allegations will continue to surface, alongside revelations that someone knew, but complaints were inadequately dealt with at the time.”
One former contestant told Sky News the allegations against Wallace are just the “tip of the iceberg” – claiming he witnessed a “toxic environment” and was so “horrified” he considered quitting the show on his first day. He said the problem was “systemic” and “larger” than just the presenter.
A BBC source said it “would be wrong” to report the broadcaster has “done nothing if or when matters have been raised… not least because it is already being widely reported there were interventions in both 2017 and 2018 where action was taken”.
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