'No toxic culture' at BBC but 'some poor conduct'

THE BBC does not have a “toxic culture” but there is a “minority of people who behave unacceptably and whose behaviour is not addressed’, an independent review into culture at the corporation said.

- HANNAH ROBERTS

The review, from Change Associates and led by management consultant Grahame Russell, was launched in the wake of the furore over disgraced former newsreader Huw Edwards.

The report said: “They are often in positions where power could be abused. Even though they are small in number, their behaviour creates large ripples which negatively impact the BBC’s culture and external reputation.”

Welsh news anchor Edwards faced allegations that he paid a young person for sexually explicit images in 2023 and there was further scandal in 2024 when he was handed a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to three charges of “making” indecent photographs of children.

The report said the BBC needs to set “clear expectations around behaviours” as it should be the “gold standard for the industry’

“Some of those who exhibit unacceptable behaviour continue to thrive, and in some cases are promoted, whilst live investigations are ongoing, or grievances against them are upheld’, it said.

The corporation was informed that Edwards, from Bridgend, had been arrested in November 2023 but it continued to employ the veteran broadcaster until April 2024, when he resigned on medical advice.