Once again, the “independence” of BBC News has been trumpeted in its ability to report on the corporation’s own business – but for many, it reflects a self-obsession and lack of perspective which questions the judgement of the news division. Senior BBC executives share this view, I know, but they feel powerless to intervene without the risk of being accused of corporate cover-ups.
And yes, of course, the Wallace affair should be reported on – proportionately. It is both a genuine story, with obvious upset caused to those who’ve had a nasty experience with the former MasterChef host, and it is a further blow to the BBC which has been battling against misbehaviour by its presenters for decades.
What makes this case particularly damaging – and we should note that investigations are continuing and no conclusions have yet emerged – is that it seems that managers in the BBC and in the production company Banijay must have known that there was a Wallace Problem.
Some calibration is needed here. This is not the extreme criminal behaviour of Jimmy Savile or at the level of other BBC transgressors who went to jail, such as Stuart Hall. It is nothing like the abuse by Mohamed al-Fayed, on which the BBC broke the story and reported incisively.
This story is from the December 03, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 03, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Husband of Lady Gabriella took own life, inquest hears
Lady Gabriella Kingston’s husband took his own life after suffering an adverse reaction to an antidepressant medication prescribed by his doctor, a coroner has ruled.
Wallace comments made me end career, says Sykes
An alleged remark made by Gregg Wallace to Melanie Sykes made her quit television \"once and for all\", she says.
Gaffe-prone Davies steps down as Welsh Tory leader
Andrew RT Davies, the gaffe-prone leader of the Welsh Conservatives, has stepped down. He said he was leaving his position “with regret” and conceded that as a “substantial minority” of his party did not support him, his position was “untenable”.
Will Starmer oversee the return of the Elgin marbles?
The Elgin marbles, now officially known as the Parthenon marbles, are in the news yet again. Government sources have been briefing that there have been high-level discussions with the Greek government about a possible return to their country of origin, ie Greece. The Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has arrived in London for talks with Keir Starmer.
Trump's tariffs would 'hit UK trade as hard as Brexit'
Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs could hit UK trade with the US as badly as Brexit affected trade with the EU, a leading think tank has warned as campaigners call for Sir Keir Starmer to protect the UK by urgently rebuilding ties with Europe.
Reeves won't rule out more tax rises despite CBI pledge
As PM shifts focus from growth to higher living standards
Brexit Deals A £3bn-A-Year Blow To UK Food Exports
British food sales to the EU have fallen by almost a fifth since the end of the Brexit transition period, a new report shows
Biden Criticised Across The Board For Pardoning His Son
President’s decision slated by Republicans and Democrats
Why 8 hours is a myth and other athletes' sleep secrets
Performance coach Greg Meehan tells Alex Pattle how he keeps clients, including boxers and footballers, in top shape
Women like me won't stand for this treatment any more
When I woke up to MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace blaming midlife, middle-class women and their lack of a sense of humour for his troubles, I confess to swearing at my phone.
