BBC’s post-Huw Edwards review to look at delays due to abuse of power

The BBC inquiry into the “abuse of power” following the Huw Edwards scandal will examine how quickly bosses investigate allegations following allegations that complaints are “ignored”.

Executives ordered an investigation into the company’s workplace culture after staff became concerned that complaints about “talent” like Edwards were being routinely frustrated by a “useless” HR system.

The review will examine how the BBC can ensure that cases of inappropriate behavior and “abuse of power” are addressed “as soon as they are identified”.

Some insiders have described the BBC’s complaints system as “incredibly stressful”, while another said HR often acted “like a trade union” to senior figures.

A review of internal procedures will now be carried out by management consultancy Change Associates, the same firm that in 2013 investigated how corporate culture allowed Jimmy Savile to operate unnoticed for decades.

The BBC Board’s terms of reference for the review state that “there is also the potential for individuals with power from significant public profile, leadership role or star status to abuse their position”.

To ensure a ‘zero tolerance approach’, experts will examine how the company can ‘ensure that the consequences of inappropriate behavior and abuse of power are understood by all and that key issues are addressed as soon as they are identified’.

The review will also look at how the BBC can ensure that “people feel confident to make their voices heard” and that managers “take decisive action” on complaints.

The work comes after staff outrage over the Edwards scandal, which revealed dissatisfaction with internal HR processes at the government-funded broadcaster.

Several whistleblowers filed complaints about Edwards’ non-criminal behavior in the workplace before he was suspended in May 2023 for paying a young man for explicit images.

The whistleblower expressed concern that no action had been taken on their complaints.

Other insiders claimed that concerns about ‘talent’ of stars or senior BBC figures are routinely frustrated, giving the impression that ‘some staff are worth more than others’.

In the wake of Edwards’ guilty plea to child incident footage, our senior staff spoke out about the failure of the BBC’s complaints system.

One insider said “little kid” employees “didn’t matter” compared to the high-profile “big boys”.

They added: “The BBC has a long history of not taking ordinary staff seriously when they raise their hands and say something inappropriate or downright wrong has happened.”

Following the appointment of Change Associates to investigate internal issues, the BBC board said it was “determined that management would maintain a ruthless focus on obtaining this right, both to protect our workplace and the BBC’s reputation ”.

Samir Shah, chairman of the BBC, said: “I cannot emphasize enough my commitment to tackling inappropriate or offensive behaviour.

“For most of us, working for the BBC is a pleasure and that should be the case for everyone. No one who works at the BBC should ever feel fear or anxiety while working here.

“What is clear to me is that we must ensure that the BBC is a safe and welcoming workplace for everyone.”