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BBC Breakfast boss Richard Frediani ‘takes extended period of leave after bullying probe was opened as bosses hold crisis talks amid claims he shook a female colleague’

BBG News

According to reports, Richard Frediani, the embattled editor of BBC Breakfast, has opted for a prolonged absence from work following the initiation of an investigation into accusations of bullying and inappropriate behavior within the program.

Previously, it had been reported that the team behind the show have been growing uncomfortable in the presence of Frediani. He, who was previously the Head of ITV News, has been accused of causing distress to a female editor by physically shaking her during their time working together on the show.

According to The Sun, it appears that Richard is temporarily stepping away from the show. He had previously gone on vacation, and he and the show’s management have mutually decided to prolong his break.

It’s being reported that the leaders at BBC have been convening multiple discussions on managing the escalating situation effectively.

In a recently acquired internal communication, John McAndrew, Head of Live and Daily News, expressed gratitude for the team’s ‘optimism’ amid these ‘challenging circumstances’, while also sharing the news about Richard’s decision.

According to the source, Fredi had taken a break due to the serious accusations against him, giving him an opportunity to think about things more deeply.

He’s deeply troubled by certain allegations and has received substantial encouragement from his team members in private, with quite a few viewing him as an exceptional leader.

The BBC leaders have put safety precautions in place and maintain communication with some members of the team. Currently, it’s crucial for the BBC to sort things out internally and make sure all employees are content.

Upon reaching out to the BBC, a spokesperson responded: “We don’t discuss specific incidents, but we give utmost importance to any allegations concerning workplace behavior. The BBC does not condone actions that contradict our principles.

We’ve got strong systems set up, and we invite anyone among our team who may have worries to voice them directly to us, so we can address them promptly.

Last Thursday, it was announced that a consultant has been brought on board to guide an investigation into accusations of bullying and misbehavior within the BBC Breakfast team. (Or: On Thursday, Deadline revealed that a consultant was enlisted to lead an internal probe concerning claims of bullying and inappropriate conduct at BBC Breakfast.)

According to sources privy to the matter, staff members have been reached out to for discussing their personal accounts of the situation.

Earlier this week, it was announced that an investigation has begun concerning allegations of bullying on the popular BBC Breakfast program. The investigation will delve into reports dating back to 2019.

According to a source, while BBC Breakfast appears cozy and thriving to its viewers, behind the scenes, there’s a completely different story. Many crew members, producers, and even presenters have expressed dissatisfaction about their work environment.

The relationship between Charlie and Naga is filled with strain. Fredi, who leans traditional, exhibits a hint of dictatorial behavior. He’s intellectually sharp but also quite forceful in his approach. There are those who believe that his latest promotion might have inflated his ego.

In the meantime, Naga, known for her strong convictions and willingness to voice concerns, has conversed with dissatisfied individuals. As a result, official grievances have been filed, putting the BBC in a position where action is necessary. This investigation, however, has caused quite a stir within the newsroom.

Some people argue that Fredani, often referred to as Fredi, is just carrying out his duties, while others contend that his approach might be too aggressive for the year 2025.

Over the last few challenging years, I’ve found myself deeply invested in the BBC, but it seems the headlines have taken a turn for the worse. Huw Edwards, a figure I once admired, has faced a heart-wrenching ordeal due to his guilty plea concerning indecent images of children. Jermaine Jenas, another beloved personality, was unexpectedly cut off after a sexting scandal. And then there’s Gary Lineker, whose departure from the channel came following a contentious debate about antisemitism that he found himself entangled in. It’s been a tough time for the BBC, and I can only hope for better days ahead.

A source disclosed to TopMob in April that Munchetty harbors some tension or discomfort towards Frediani, and another mentioned they have a strained or awkward connection.

It has been reported by The Mail that dissatisfaction is escalating at the BBC’s headquarters in Salford, as employees have observed Frediani’s career advancement – from leading Breakfast to a seemingly influential position as an editor, second only to those in London – with increasing astonishment.

It’s surprising that, despite the BBC portraying itself as a straightforward, progressive, and respectful workplace, Fredi continues to rise in rank. HR and his superiors have been informed about past allegations of bullying against him.

I can’t help but feel uneasy about the amount of control he wields. Just look at the recent appointment of Nina – she’s now a regular presenter! But with that kind of power, it just seems unfair and unsettling.

The hardship started when the media and entertainment news outlet Deadline claimed that Frediani faced at least two instances of misconduct, one of which involved a female colleague who had her complaint validated following an incident where she alleged that Frediani had physically shaken her during a heated argument in the newsroom last year.

Additional individuals shared their accounts of the situation. One individual asserted they observed an instance in 2019, where Richard appeared visibly upset and pushed a co-worker from Breakfast against a wall while gesturing aggressively with his finger as he vocalized dissatisfaction about that day’s broadcast.

According to the website, it’s claimed that Frediani has a reputation for loudly criticizing other BBC News desks over the phone and expressing dissatisfaction with the content they provide for the Breakfast show.

Whether these allegations were upheld or dismissed is not known.

2020 saw a significant amount of unrest among team members regarding Frediani, who had only just taken over the role of BBC Breakfast editor, having been recruited from ITV News. This internal discontent emerged during his first year on the job.

During the pandemic, Katie Hind from TopMob received numerous anonymous emails from BBC Breakfast employees. These emails alleged that a toxic work environment characterized by intimidation and bullying had arisen at the corporation, resulting in the departure of long-standing staff members. The complaints were directed to both the management and HR department of the corporation.

A worker, preferring to stay confidential, expressed concerns about the office environment, describing it as ‘toxic’ and ‘exclusive, resembling a ‘brotherhood.’ However, it’s uncertain if these claims were substantiated or disregarded.

Following the release of the story in The Mail on Sunday, several individuals who had previously collaborated with Frediani began reaching out.

During his time at ITV, they found him difficult to get along with, as he held the position of head of news. It was disheartening for them, though not unexpected, when it emerged that there were claims about his behavior becoming confrontational in his subsequent job.

‘I recognized many aspects of Richard Frediani’s character in your article. My colleagues and I who went through difficult times with him at ITV had anticipated events turning out this way.’

Perplexed by the continuous advancements, I find myself questioning: Why, amidst allegations of his workplace conduct, did Frediani persistently climb the corporate ladder?

It seems that the key might reside with Deborah Turness, the present CEO of News at the BBC. In my professional capacity, she was my superior as the CEO of ITN until 2022. Interestingly, our paths crossed once more when she joined the corporation.

According to reports from the BBC, she played a role in his ascension to the position of News at One manager; however, top-tier sources within the Corporation firmly dispute this claim, stating it wasn’t a promotion but rather an expansion of his current duties. The BBC declined to comment on whether he received a salary increase.

BBC Breakfast staff have said that they are far from happy that Turness is still backing Frediani.

One source claims, ‘She must undoubtedly be aware of what everyone else has become aware of, given that it had been widely discussed since at least 2020.’

Tim Davie, as director-general, expressed his desire for the consulting firm guiding the evaluation to provide tangible suggestions on fostering an environment where inappropriate behavior is not tolerated at all among management.

The BBC stated they don’t address specific human resources matters. Yet, they made clear that employee wellbeing is their top concern, and they give great importance to any allegations concerning workplace behavior, handling them with utmost seriousness.

Following reports concerning Frediani’s actions, employees at Breakfast and News at One received an email from John McAndrew, BBC News’ head of programming, to remind them of the corporation’s policy on handling misconduct allegations.

Regarding culture and conduct within our entire organization, I want to emphasize that any claims about inappropriate behavior brought to my attention will receive thorough investigation, and if substantiated, appropriate actions will follow.

Despite the assertion made by one BBC source, they challenged this statement, suggesting that while the BBC presents itself as an excellent employer, it may not always take good care of its employees.

‘But it seems that’s more likely to be the case if you are in the gang.’

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2025-06-20 00:35

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