ITV is to publish a talent “charter” setting out key standards expected from its high-profile presenters following the publication of the long-awaited Phillip Schofield review, which rejected the notion that there was a “toxic culture” on This Morning and that ITV knew anything of his affair.
Led by Jane Mulcahy KC, the review made several recommendations following the Schofield scandal that led to his resignation, but denied there was a “toxic culture” on the show he had been helming for years.
Schofield resigned from This Morning in disgrace in May and was dropped by his agency YMU after admitting to a years-long affair with a much younger colleague. Soon after, ITV instructed Mulcahy to review the facts around Schofield following his departure. ITV bosses had been grilled by the UK’s Culture, Media & Sport Committee but denied any hard evidence was ever provided about the affair.
Having spoken to 48 people, Mulcahy said only one person had any knowledge of the affair and that employee did not report their knowledge to anyone at the time. ITV Chairman Andy Cosslett said her review “makes it clear that ITV’s management made considerable efforts to determine the truth about an alleged relationship” between Schofield and the younger colleague, who is referred to as Person X.
Schofield declined to participate and Mulcahy said she has been told his “mental health has deteriorated” since inviting him for interview in August.
Mulcahy’s set of recommendations included the forging of the talent “charter” that would set “out key standards ITV expects to be upheld,” the first of its kind.
Other recommendations included ITV making increased efforts to ensure that This Morning and the daytime team embraces its Speaking Up policy “at every level.”
“In particular, managers should ensure that all staff know there is a safe space to complain or raise concerns,” said the review. “No-one should be worried that their job will be at risk because they have raised an issue.”
Having considered nine complaints since 2016 and eight diverse concerns articulated in response to the review, Mulcahy said ITV largely succeeds in applying policies and procedures but stressed that these procedures would better function if “people were more confident to air their concerns in the first place.”
Further recommendations included a review of the structure of This Morning and daytime to ensure close and centralized control of both production and editorial, revisiting its HR structures and centralizing employee information.
ITV should also put in place “open and direct” routes for communication with freelancers and “clarify the routes for handling complaints raised about or related to ITV talent.” “I hope these findings and recommendations prove helpful to the business and to those dealing with ITV going forward.”
“Toxic culture”
ITV accepted the recommendations in full and welcomed Mulcahy’s claim that there was “no finding of a ‘toxic culture’ [on This Morning] and had there been one she would have said so.”
Cosslett said: “We are completely committed to creating an environment where everyone is treated with respect and feels able to give off their best. Our promise to those we work with is tgat where a complaint is made, or serious concerns raised, we will always investigate and if we find that something inappropriate has happened, we will take action.”
The behavior of on-screen talent behind the camera has been the subject of much chatter this year following scandals involving Huw Edwards and James Martin.
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