EXCLUSIVE: A BBC whistleblowing investigation has found evidence that management failed to stamp out a culture of homophobic abuse at a local radio station.
The internal report, which is understood to have been completed this year, partially upheld an allegation that “failings at a managerial and institutional level in BBC Radio Cornwall created and sustained an environment in which homophobic abuse was implicitly or explicitly tolerated.”
The conclusion of the whistleblowing investigation was disclosed as part of an employment tribunal involving former BBC Radio Cornwall presenter Jack Murley, who has taken legal action against the corporation for wrongful dismissal.
The BBC told the tribunal that Murley was fired for breaking social media guidelines, but the presenter argued he was discriminated against for being gay and a union representative.
Murley’s closing written submission to the tribunal, obtained by Deadline, makes reference to the internal whistleblowing investigation and calls its conclusion “highly damning.”
In its own closing submission, the BBC said the report detailed the “regrettable treatment” of Murley, but argued that it was not evidence that managers treated him “less favourably” because of his sexuality.
The BBC said the perpetrators of the alleged “historic” abuse detailed in the whistleblowing investigation were “mostly” former employees, suggesting that some individuals accused of homophobia are still working for the corporation.
During tribunal hearings in Exeter, Emma Clements, the executive editor of BBC Devon and Cornwall, gave evidence about a management WhatsApp group. Under cross-examination, she accepted that there were posts in the group that could be “interpreted as homophobic,” according to Murley’s written submission. Clements said she “challenged the perpetrator privately” but the posts were not deleted.
Deadline has asked the BBC a series of questions about the whistleblowing report, including whether those accused of wrongdoing have faced disciplinary action. A spokesperson declined to comment amid the ongoing legal proceedings.
The corporation’s diversity and inclusion policy states: “The BBC is committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and employment and will not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment in any form.”
Disclosure of the report comes at a time when the BBC is undertaking a workplace culture review and employees are being questioned about their experiences of wrongdoing or abuses of power. The work is being led by management consultancy Change Associates and is expected to conclude next year.
Employment tribunal judge Alastair Smail will rule on Murley’s case next year.
