The editor ofBBCBreakfast has taken an extended period of leave after allegations of bullying and misconduct.
Richard Frediani has been the subject of at least two misconduct complaints since taking over the UK’s most-watched morning TV show in 2019, according toDeadline.
The BBC has now appointed the consultancy firm PwC to review the culture at theBBC Oneshow based in Salford.
A BBC spokesperson said it did not comment on individual cases but takes “all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously”.
Frediani was handed further responsibility as editor of the BBC’s News at One bulletin after one complaint against him was upheld, according to Deadline. He allegedly physically shook a lower-ranking female editor in the newsroom in 2024, the industry website reported.
Frediani, a former ITV News executive, has also faced allegations of shouting and swearing at colleagues, according to media reports. The BBC presenter Naga Munchetty has reportedly raised concerns about his conduct.
In April the BBC published the findings of anindependent reviewinto its workplace culture, which found that some staff believed there were a minority of people – on- and off-air – who were in effect allowed to behave unacceptably. It found that the BBC did not have a toxic workplace culture but said it must intervene earlier when allegations of inappropriate behaviour emerge.
The corporation’s chair, Samir Shah, told staff as the review was published: “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.”
Last month Frediani accepted a Bafta award when Breakfast won best TV news coverage for a special episode about the Post Office scandal. He has not commented on the allegations.
The 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.”