An MP has called This Morning editor Martin Frizell’s answer to a Sky News interview over whether there is a “toxic” work environment on the show as “outrageously dismissive and flippant”.
When asked by Sky News on Monday about allegations of a “toxic” environment at This Morning, Mr Frizell replied: “I’ll tell you what’s toxic, and I’ve always found it toxic – aubergine. Do you like aubergine?”
SNP MP John Nicolson called the remarks “outrageously dismissive and flippant on camera about an immensely serious issue”, at a Culture, Media and Sport Committee hearing to talk about the draft Media Bill.
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Senior ITV boss ‘wouldn’t endorse’ Frizell remark
Mr Nicolson questioned Magnus Brooke, group director of strategy, policy and regulation at ITV, about the show at the hearing.
Referring to the aubergine remarks, Mr Brooke accepted it was “extremely ill-judged to say what he did”.
In the committee hearing, Mr Nicolson said: “I spent some time at the weekend talking to whistleblowers from ITV, including people who work and have worked at This Morning. It seems like a very unhappy place.
“Are you satisfied with the duty of care that the editorial team and senior managers provide to staff, especially young staff working there and at ITV more generally?”
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Mr Brooke said: “I think there is a very sophisticated and significant system of safeguarding and duty of care at ITV.”
Addressing the bullying allegations made by staff, Mr Brooke said: “We take our responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and duty of care very seriously.
“Bullying is absolutely in breach of our code of conduct, it’s very clearly set out.”
He added: “Bullying is unacceptable. If we find bullying it’s inconsistent with our policy and we expect people to report it and we would expect it to be dealt with appropriately and it will be.”
Appearing to refer to Willoughby’s statement on Monday, Mr Nicolson also asked Mr Brooke if he was “OK” to which the ITV boss replied that he was “fine”. Mr Nicolson added: “It’s the question du jour at This Morning.”
In her first on-screen appearance since Schofield’s departure, Willoughby told viewers: “Firstly, are you OK? I hope so. It feels very strange indeed sitting here without Phil.”
Ex-This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes and former resident doctor Dr Ranj Singh have both made allegations of a “toxic” culture behind the scenes, with the latter saying he raised concerns about “bullying and discrimination” two years ago when he worked there.
Earlier in the session, committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage said MPs would not be addressing the issues around former presenter Phillip Schofield, 61, leaving the show during the session as ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall is expected to appear before MPs next week about the scandal.
Schofield admitted to an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a younger male colleague and stepped down from his roles with ITV last month.
