EXCLUSIVE: The BBC has investigated a handful of staff following allegations of sexual harassment, because the British nationwide broadcaster seeks to implement its zero-tolerance strategy to misconduct.
Deadline can reveal that the BBC opened 5 disciplinary instances for sexual harassment as not too long ago as the tip of March, as a part of a crackdown on abuse of energy following a 2025 evaluate of office tradition.
The determine was disclosed in response to a Freedom of Data Act (FOIA) request from Deadline, which additionally revealed that the BBC was investigating 4 additional instances of bullying and harassment, bringing the full variety of stay investigations to 9.
In its monetary yr ending on the finish of March 2026, the BBC sacked two staff after confirming allegations of sexual harassment. 5 others had been “sanctioned” amid related complaints of sexual misconduct. One individual left the BBC earlier than the company decided on disciplinary motion.
Figures obtained by Deadline present that the full variety of disciplinary instances for bullying, harassment and sexual harassment in March reached a three-year excessive of 27. That complete included 11 instances of sexual misconduct – additionally a three-year excessive.
The rise follows a evaluate of the BBC’s office tradition, which discovered no proof of a “poisonous” setting however ended with powerful feedback from the channel’s executives over misconduct. BBC chairman Samir Shah mentioned: “On the finish of the day, it is fairly easy: if you’re an individual ready to abuse energy, strike out or misbehave, there isn’t a place for you on the BBC. »
The FOIA confirmed, nonetheless, that termination just isn’t a probable consequence in disciplinary proceedings. Over the previous three years, there have been a complete of 72 disciplinary instances on the BBC, however solely 11%, or eight folks, have been sacked by the company. Virtually 60% had been disciplined, whereas 8.3% left earlier than the BBC concluded the disciplinary case.
A BBC spokesperson mentioned: “We take all types of bullying, harassment and misconduct very critically. If a matter is confirmed, there are a number of potential sanctions, together with dismissal, that are thought of on a case-by-case foundation, in step with our insurance policies.”
The BBC has taken high-profile motion towards presenters in recent times following allegations of misconduct. This included capturing Chef host Gregg Wallace and Jermaine Jenas, a former Match of the day knowledgeable. Most not too long ago, Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills was sacked following a historic allegation referring to his private conduct.