This Morning workers ‘confronted additional bullying’ after reporting present’s poisonous working tradition to ITV

A “large number” of ITV’s This Morning staff have advised Parliament they confronted “further bullying and discrimination” after elevating issues of toxicity and harassment with the broadcaster. 

In June, ITV chief government Dame Carolyn McCall confronted questions from MPs about former host Phillip Schofield‘s exit from the daytime present amid allegations it was fostering a ‘poisonous’ bullying tradition.

In correspondence printed on Wednesday, Dame Caroline Dinenage, chairwoman of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, advised Dame Carolyn {that a} group of This Morning staff previous and current had since raised related claims to Parliament.

In the letter dated 24 July, Dame Caroline wrote: “In the month that has passed since your appearance before the committee, we have been contacted by a large number of individuals who have identified themselves as currently working or previously having worked on This Morning or as part of the wider ITV Daytime team.

“These people converse with nice delight about working at ITV and are vastly constructive about lots of their colleagues.

“However, they also raise claims of toxic working cultures, bullying, discrimination and harassment.

“Some of these people who’ve contacted us have described how their determination to lift issues inside ITV has led to additional bullying and discrimination, and in some circumstances having to depart the organisation with a settlement settlement.”

Dame Caroline stated it’s “easy to understand” why the people left ITV and “do not wish to relive their traumatic experiences”, in addition to believing ITV won’t take them severely.

In a response, Dame Carolyn requested the parliamentary committee to “encourage individuals to contact ITV via our reporting line SafeCall” by means of which reviews could be made confidentially or anonymously.

Alternatively people can contact Jane Mulcahy KC who’s main an exterior overview of the information after Schofield’s exit, which is anticipated to be accomplished in September, Dame Carolyn stated.

She continued: “As we made clear to you and the committee, we are absolutely committed to enabling people to raise any issues or complaints they may have about working at ITV.

“We all the time take these severely and can examine and take no matter motion is suitable. However, we’re unable to take action if we can’t interact with these folks.”

In the correspondence, MPs accused ITV managing director Kevin Lygo of being “inconsistent” in his explanation about who decided 61-year-old Schofield should leave This Morning, after he admitted to an “unwise however not unlawful” affair with a younger male colleague on the show.

In evidence to MPs in June, Mr Lygo suggested Schofield wanted to step down, but a statement on 20 May from the presenter said: “I perceive ITV has determined the present scenario cannot go on.”

In her response, Dame Carolyn insisted there was “no inconsistency”, writing: “As made clear, Mr Schofield expressed a want to depart This Morning however Kevin Lygo was the final word arbiter of such points – following discussions with everybody concerned.”