Gregg Wallace allegations indicate ‘culture of silence’: Minister
Lisa Nandy says there is “too much of a culture of silence” following allegations against MasterChef host Greg Wallace.
Nandy told MPs on Tuesday she was “prepared to take further action” if the media industry was unable to resolve allegations of misconduct.
Wallace quit MasterChef two weeks ago After BBC News investigation reveals allegations Inappropriate sexual comments and inappropriate behavior directed at him.
His lawyers have strongly denied that he engaged in sexual harassment.
Nandy spoke before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee about recent behavioral issues, including those surrounding Wallace.
She said: “Having spoken to the BBC in recent weeks about the allegations against Greg Wallace, it is very clear to me that we see too many of these cultures of silence and issues being swept under the rug.
“Those who are unable to progress through the current complaints system as it affects their careers or may even end them.
“It is clear to me that people’s voices need to be heard, action must be taken and those responsible must be held accountable.”
Our survey heard from 13 people of various age groups who had worked on five different shows.
These include broadcaster Kirsty Wark, who appears on Celebrity MasterChef. However, most are production workers. Many people are freelancers.
Nandy says one of her concerns is that the creative industries rely heavily on freelancers: “It’s very casual employment contracts, where people are often hired or promoted because of who they know, whether they’re liked or trusted or not, and you do “You’re getting a lot more young people entering these industries and there’s a huge power imbalance between the managers of these industries and the people who work in these industries.”
She added that the Ministry of Commerce and Trade and the Deputy Prime Minister were pursuing a plan to “make work pay”.
“They are looking closely at the use of issues such as unpaid internships, self-employment, zero-hours contracts and harassment which they intend to consult on.”
Nandy also confirmed that on Wednesday she will meet with the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA), an industry body that aims to tackle bullying and harassment in the industry.
She said she agreed with their position that “the industry would be better off seizing on this”.
“But if they don’t, I will be prepared to take further action,” she said.
Nandy added that when she was given a list of organizations that had provided financial support to CIISA, she was “very surprised” that Banijay – the production company that employs Greg Wallace and produces MasterChef – was not on the list .
“I am pessimistic about company executives not taking this matter seriously and, following discussions with CIISA, I will be writing to the committee chair to update the committee on the work we are moving forward with them.”
BBC News has contacted Banij for comment.
The company has previously said it takes allegations about Wallace “extremely seriously” but added that it would not comment on individual allegations while an external investigation was ongoing.
It also said MasterChef’s benefits processes are “regularly adapted and enhanced, with clear protocols in place to support staff and contributors”.
Last week, Wallace apologized It was suggested that the accusations against him came from “a small number of middle-class women of a certain age”.
He concluded: “It is clear to me that I need to take some time off while the investigation is ongoing. I hope you understand and I hope you can accept this apology.”
On Friday, BBC bosses said they would not tolerate behavior that “falls below the standards we expect”.
In a message to staff from the company’s director general, Tim Davie, and the BBC’s chief content officer, Charlotte Moore, they added that they would support Banijay UK’s investigation, adding : “It is vital that the BBC lives up to our values, including the companies we work with”.
