EXCLUSIVE: The BBC has drafted in a consultant to help steer an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations on its flagship breakfast show.
Following an investigation by Deadline earlier this year, sources said the BBC’s HR team has seconded a lawyer from PwC to help review the culture on Breakfast, the UK’s most-watched morning TV show. Employees have been approached about sharing their experiences, according to people familiar with the process.
Breakfast editor Richard “Fredi” Frediani is at the heart of the disquiet. Deadline has spoken to more than 20 industry insiders about Frediani’s conduct, with many making allegations about him running the show with an iron fist, including claims of him shouting and swearing at colleagues. We revealed that senior presenter Naga Munchetty was among those thought to have raised concerns.
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Since taking over Breakfast in 2019, sources said Frediani has been the subject of at least two misconduct complaints, including one from a woman who had her grievance upheld after claiming that the editor physically shook her during a newsroom exchange last year. Within weeks of the complaint being upheld, the BBC expanded Frediani’s empire to include News at One.
The scrutiny on Breakfast’s culture intensified this week when The Sun newspaper published a front-page story about the bullying allegations.
Frediani has not responded to requests for comment. A BBC 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 with our 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.”
The Breakfast review comes weeks after the BBC published the findings of a workplace culture inquiry by Change Associates. The review found that some individuals are “seen as being untouchable” due to their perceived value to the BBC. It added: “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.”
BBC chair Samir Shah said the Change Associates review was a “line in the sand.” He added that the corporation would support those who raise concerns and that he had no tolerance for people who “abuse power or punch down or behave badly.”
Described as one of the most formidable British TV news editors of his generation, Frediani has risen from being a local radio reporter in his native city of Preston to the BBC’s most powerful news executive outside of London.
Based out of Salford, Frediani is said to have an instinctive understanding of audiences outside of London, a much-prized skill at the BBC, which is often accused of being biased towards the capital. Last month, Breakfast clinched the first BAFTA award in its history for its coverage of the Post Office scandal.
Insiders acknowledge his skills, but he is also described as a “bruiser” from a bygone era of newsroom culture. Sources alleged that they have felt shouted at when mistakes have been made on-air, while one person witnessed Frediani walk out of the production gallery and kick a wastebasket. Employees also expressed unease about a culture of favoritism.
One person claimed to have witnessed an incident in 2019, during which a “clearly angry” Frediani cornered a Breakfast colleague up against a wall and was “jabbing his finger” as he voiced displeasure about that morning’s show. Two sources alleged that Frediani is known for “screaming” down the phone at other BBC News desks and complaining about the quality of content they supply Breakfast.