‘BBC Breakfast’ Boss Richard Frediani Faces Further Bullying Claims

BBC Breakfast boss Richard Frediani is going through additional allegations of office bullying and misconduct, with senior presenter Naga Munchetty amongst these thought to have misgivings about his conduct.

Deadline revealed final month how Frediani was the topic of no less than two misconduct complaints, together with one from a lady who had her grievance upheld after claiming that the Breakfast editor bodily shook her throughout a newsroom change final 12 months.

Now, Deadline can report that considerations about Frediani’s conduct run deeper on the BBC, whereas he has additionally been accused of behaving inappropriately at his earlier employer, ITN, the place he was overseen by the identical executives now working BBC News. The BBC declined to touch upon particular person HR issues. Frediani’s place is that he was unaware of any complaints being made about his conduct at ITN. 

After 9 of Frediani’s colleagues spoke to Deadline for our unique investigation, an extra 11 folks have come ahead to debate their experiences. Seven of those people labored with Frediani at ITN, the place he held senior roles on the crew that produces ITV News. We can reveal:

The allegations come because the BBC prepares to publish an exterior assessment of its office tradition later this month, following a sequence of scandals concerning the conduct of highly effective males. BBC director basic Tim Davie has stated he desires Change Associates, the administration consultancy main the assessment, to make sensible suggestions about how managers can create a tradition the place there may be “zero tolerance” for wrongdoing. Davie advised lawmakers final month that the BBC has improved its complaints dealing with and employees are extra assured in processes, however he stated that if there are examples of considerations not being handled critically, it’s a “grade one” concern.

Presenter Concerns

Four folks accustomed to the tensions over Frediani stated Munchetty, certainly one of Breakfast’s most distinguished hosts, has an uneasy relationship together with her editor and has spoken to BBC News managers about her considerations. A journalist at a rival information group stated she is “quite open” about her disquiet relating to his remedy of Breakfast staff. Munchetty didn’t reply to requests for remark.

Separately, three sources stated Radio 2 newsreader Tina Daheley has chosen to not seem on Frediani’s News at One. She was named as a presenter on the bulletin final May, however is alleged to have been deeply upset by how her appointment was introduced.

A press launch unveiling News at One’s presenting line-up featured photographs of all of the white information anchors however didn’t image Daheley, per an archived net web page. The BBC press workplace took full accountability for the error, which was shortly corrected after Daheley voiced her dismay. A supply stated Frediani, who was quoted within the press launch, didn’t see the ultimate model earlier than it was printed on the BBC web site. He later apologized to Daheley. Daheley didn’t reply to requests for remark.

Munchetty and Daheley have every labored on the BBC for greater than 17 years and each function among the many company’s highest-paid presenters. Munchetty juggles her Breakfast duties with Radio 5 Live, whereas Daheley additionally hosts Points of View and News at Six.

Other BBC staff got here ahead with their experiences. One particular person claimed to have witnessed an incident in 2019, throughout which a “clearly angry” Frediani cornered a Breakfast colleague up towards a wall and was “jabbing his finger” as he voiced displeasure about that morning’s present. Two sources alleged that Frediani is understood for “screaming” down the cellphone at different BBC News desks and complaining concerning the high quality of content material they provide Breakfast.

In the interval after Deadline’s first story about Frediani, insiders stated that he has behaved as whether it is enterprise as standard. The day after publication, Breakfast and News at One employees had been emailed by John McAndrew, BBC News’ director of programmes, to remind them concerning the company’s method to complaints of wrongdoing.

“With regard to culture and behaviour – and this stands for all of our teams across the organisation – please be assured that if, or when, any allegations of any inappropriate behaviour come to me, they will be taken seriously, comprehensively investigated, and if upheld, action will be taken,” McAndrew wrote.

Some at Breakfast had been doubtful about this message provided that Frediani has been the topic of complaints, and but has been rewarded with extra energy. Bosses knew that Frediani had been accused of shaking a feminine colleague final 12 months earlier than they expanded his duties to incorporate the News at One. “Senior management has been repeatedly told by various people that there is a problem, and they haven’t done anything about it,” stated a BBC supply. 

“Tyrant On The Shop Floor”

Seven of Frediani’s former ITN colleagues, who spoke to Deadline on the situation of anonymity, recounted their experiences of his conduct. He did two spells at ITN, lasting a complete of almost 14 years, the latest of which was between 2012 and 2019, when he left to affix BBC Breakfast. 

Characterized as a “tyrant on the shop floor,” former colleagues stated Frediani ran the newsroom with “unbridled aggression,” making a tradition of worry amongst these round him, together with his superiors. ITN declined to touch upon historic allegations about Frediani.

Those interviewed by Deadline alleged that he would undermine colleagues in editorial conferences by muttering and swearing below his breath, taking assignments away from journalists he didn’t price, and overtly smirking or rolling his eyes at story strategies that didn’t meet his requirements. “It would be a public humiliation exercise, right in the middle of the office,” stated one particular person aware of the conferences. 

Others recalled him having stand-up rows, shouting, swearing, and jabbing his finger within the course of fellow workers. “He was accustomed to getting into your personal space when talking to you, leaning into you, perhaps inches away from your face, or touching you to make a point,” a former colleague recalled.

Sources alleged that he routinely ignored or sidelined colleagues he thought-about “persona non grata,” stripping them of accountability or freezing them out of fascinating tales. Sources stated this was as a result of Frediani didn’t personally price the person or had beforehand clashed with them. “In isolation, it doesn’t sound hugely significant … but it had such a toxic effect on people,” stated one other former ITN insider. 

The allegations echoed these made by BBC insiders, who shared tales about his alleged aggression and lamented the “clubbable” ambiance he has created at Breakfast, during which favorites are rewarded and others are not noted within the chilly. There is a sense that his conduct doesn’t accord with BBC values round equity and inclusivity. 

Several of Frediani’s former ITN co-workers stated complaints had been made about his conduct, although it’s not clear how formal these grievances had been. One particular person advised Deadline that they made a criticism to a supervisor and HR about Frediani’s conduct, however had been advised to get used to his fashion.

Others stated they stopped wanting complaining as a result of they apprehensive it will not be handled critically by ITN or it may very well be damaging for his or her profession. “If I’d made a formal complaint, it would have fallen on deaf ears, and I’d have been slowly squeezed out,” stated one particular person.

Frediani was a programme editor at ITV News in Deborah Turness’ ultimate 12 months as general editor of the service earlier than she joined NBC News. Jonathan Munro, now BBC News’ world information director, additionally labored in a senior function at ITV News throughout this time. “Turness is fully aware of what he is like,” stated one particular person. Another supply, a seasoned journalist, claimed that “a blind eye” had been turned to Frediani’s alleged conduct. 

Turness’ place is that she doesn’t recall any criticism, formal or casual, about Frediani throughout the time they overlapped at ITN. Munro was additionally unaware of complaints and strongly denies {that a} “blind eye” was turned to any alleged misconduct. Frediani’s place is that he was unaware of any complaints about his conduct and nothing was raised with him. 

ITN is presently going through questions over its dealing with of historic complaints and use of non-disclosure agreements after an impartial report concluded final 12 months that staff had “low trust” in administration processes. Deadline can reveal that the corporate just lately engaged People Puzzles, an exterior HR consultancy, to enhance its folks administration and complaints processes. Staff have just lately been surveyed about their experiences.

An ITN spokesperson stated: “We are committed to a culture of openness and trust, which includes ensuring that any time a concern is raised, it is addressed promptly, thoroughly, and fairly.”

WHO IS RICHARD FREDIANI?

Described as one of the formidable British TV information editors of his era, Richard Frediani has risen from being an area radio reporter in his native metropolis of Preston to the BBC’s strongest information government exterior of London. 

Based out of Salford, Frediani has referred to as the pictures on BBC Breakfast, the UK’s highest-rated morning present, since September 2019. He just lately had his function expanded to incorporate the flagship News at One. He is alleged to have an instinctive understanding of audiences exterior of London, a much-prized talent on the BBC, which is usually accused of being biased in direction of the capital.

Captain Tom Moore

Frediani is named a information obsessive. An ITN colleague recalled how he used to document the weekday information bulletins of his rivals and watch them again on the weekend whereas doing the household’s ironing. Fueled by a love of candy treats, Frediani is a near-constant presence within the workplace and asks his crew to pitch tales that make viewers late for work as a result of they’re so compelling to observe.

He has original Breakfast right into a present that seeks to set the agenda with human curiosity tales, resembling propelling Captain Tom Moore into the nationwide consciousness by spotlighting his pandemic heroics. Colleagues have referred to as him a “campaigning” editor, who doubles down on points that ring a bell with audiences. Breakfast’s protection of the Post Office scandal is proof of this and earned the present its first-ever BAFTA TV Awards nomination final month. Breakfast has gained a Royal Television Society award on Frediani’s watch.

Those who’ve labored with Frediani claimed his abilities and observe document are the explanation why his superiors have been ready to miss conduct that allegedly upsets some colleagues. There can be the view that he has constructed a singular empire in Salford and isn’t topic to similar managerial oversight as his London-based contemporaries.