Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Email sent yesterday morning to the BBC's Anne Bulford, Managing Director, Finance and Operations -

Dear Ms Bulford,

One of the findings of the 'Respect at Work' Review, published in May 2013, was evidence of inappropriate behaviour/bullying. Dinah Rose stated that some individuals are seen as being “untouchable” due to their perceived value to the BBC.

The BBC spent over £300,000 on the Review, so it's rather disappointing that there's been no sign of any genuine intention to change. Jeremy Clarkson's attack on Oisin Tymon was clearly unacceptable, and a responsible organisation would not welcome him back. But within hours of a police announcement that no action would be taken, the BBC reported Clarkson would host Have I Got News For You on 24th April.

Clarkson, himself, reflected on the position and realised that an appearance on TV at such an early stage might be seen as a slight against Mr Tymon, and therefore would not be appropriate. It beggars belief that the BBC didn't get that.

I am still awaiting a reply to my email of 30th March 2015 in relation to what amounts to a fraudulent expense claim by one of your senior managers.

Yours sincerely,

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Jeremy Clarkson will not, after all, make an appearance in Have I Got News For You on 24th April.

Jimmy Mulville, managing director of show producers Hat Trick Productions, said "On reflection, Jeremy Clarkson has decided not to host Have I Got News For You." Mulville expects Clarkson to host HIGNFY later in the year.

Clarkson's decision not to take part in the programme so soon after his verbal and physical attack on Oisin Tymon reveals at least a modicum of integrity that is totally lacking in the BBC's own top decision makers - Lord Hall in particular.

Thursday, April 09, 2015

The 'Respect at Work Review' was set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal to look at BBC policies and processes relating to sexual harassment as well as what it is like to work at the BBC more broadly with regard to respect and appropriate behaviour for staff and freelancers. It was carried out with the help of Dinah Rose QC.

An important finding of the Review was evidence of inappropriate behaviour/bullying: Some individuals are seen as being “untouchable” due to their perceived value to the BBC. (pdf)

You might think the Respect at Work Review was carried out with the aim of changing the culture which had led to people abusing their status and position within the Corporation. However it's now less than two years since the Review was published, and it seems nothing has really changed.

Within hours of the police confirmation that no action would be taken against Jeremy Clarkson, the BBC announced he would chair an edition of Have I Got News For You on 24th April. What kind of message is that supposed to send out?

Wednesday, April 08, 2015

Difficult to decide who's the more pathetic: Lord Hall for agreeing to allow bullying thug Jeremy Clarkson to appear as host on Have I Got News for You (24th April 2015) - or Clarkson for accepting the invitation?

Of course Lord Hall knows full well that Clarkson will use the opportunity to aim loads of digs at the BBC.