Richard Frediani, editor of BBC Breakfast, has been cleared of bullying and inappropriate conduct and will not be subject to a thorough investigation after PWC was hired as a consultant to examine the work culture on the BBC's flagship morning show.
The news follows the BBC’s internal investigation published in April, which revealed that some stars and managers “behave unacceptably” at work.
BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty has also come under fire for allegedly bullying a junior staffer, with scrutiny rising over the internal culture of the broadcasting house.
BBC Breakfast has aired since 2000 and Frediani has been in charge since 2019. Last year, he accepted a BAFTA Award for an episode about the Post Office scandal which aired on BBC Breakfast.
Munchetty became a regular host on BBC Breakfast in 2014.
The situation's implications for Munchetty are unclear; according to reports, she still faces the possibility of a thorough probe following issues brought up during the review.
The editor is said to get along well with other presenters including Sally Nugent and Jon Kay, but Frediani and Munchetty are allegedly “barely speaking.”
Munchetty has been accused of being “hard” and to have been “bullying” by her coworkers, according to a number of press sources. These accusations range from irrational demands on her breakfast order to more serious charges of using inappropriate sexual language.
According to The Times, Frediani assured staff that he was in the clear and would continue to manage BBC Breakfast and the News at One program from the broadcaster's Salford facilities.
Here’s what we know so far about the bullying scandal tainting the show:
How it began
The BBC launched an investigation into its internal culture in April 2024, following the Huw Edwards scandal, a former BBC newsreader who pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.
According to the report, while there is not a widespread “toxic” culture, there is “a minority of people” whose bad behaviour “is not addressed.”
"We also heard of 'untouchables' who work behind the camera or microphone”, it said. "The perception was that senior management would turn an eye to poor behaviours when productions were award-winning or attracting large audiences”.
The report also flagged instances of unacceptable behaviour from employees towards their managers, including "sending abusive emails, behaving aggressively in meetings or even making inappropriate comments that they get away with", and "managers or colleagues should feel able to intervene".
In April, MailOnline revealed that some employees were unhappy with Frediani’s behaviour, accusing him of being “aggressive” and “belittling.” In June, Fredani was reported to have taken an extended period of leave.
The BBC at the time said it takes “all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values”.
It added: “We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed”.
But now Frediani has been cleared of accusations of bullying and will not face a thorough investigation after full investigation led by PwC reviewed the work culture.
What are the accusations against Richard Frediani?
The BBC Breakfast editor has been accused of shouting, swearing and creating an intimidating atmosphere, sources told Deadline.
The allegations began before his tenure at the BBC. Frediani’s former colleagues at Independent Television News are also reported to have described Frediani as a “bully.”
A source said to The Sun: “Fredi is very old-school and has some slightly tyrannical tendencies”.
“He is very cerebral but also quite aggressive in his methods. Some people think a recent promotion has gone to his head”.
In April, it was claimed that Munchetty was “barely speaking” to Frediani after allegedly accusing him of bullying and misconduct.
A source told The Times: "Fredi has no relationship with Charlie [Strayt] and Naga, which is weird when they are half of his frontline presenting roster.
“It appears he doesn't like them and they don't like him — for whatever reason, they don't talk to each other”.
However, some employees have defended Frediani. “He is not a bully at all and the truth will come out,” one source told The Mirror.
“He’s a great boss and was - and is still - overwhelmingly loved by the team, who respect his drive, expertise, and journalistic ambition.
He can be brash and opinionated but works so hard for his team and allows people to flourish”.
Another source said: “Yes, he is old-school and can rub people up the wrong way but it’s always in the pursuit of great television.
It’s the best-rated breakfast show in the country - it’s not supposed to be a walk in the park.”.
What are the accusations against Munchetty?
Munchetty is understood to have raised concerns about Frediani’s conduct, with an insider speaking to The Sun claiming that Munchetty felt compelled to act because she’s passionate about “speaking up if she believes something is wrong.”
She then also came under fire herself for two incidents that allegedly happened over a three-year period.
In 2022, Munchetty, 50, is said to have used a crude word for a sex act and asked a colleague if they had done it. Although the exact comment hasn’t been reported, one source told The Sun that it was “Crass, inappropriate and wildly unprofessional. The person felt embarrassed”.
Munchetty was also accused of bullying a woman last year, with The Sun claiming she allegedly accused a younger staffer of stealing, without presenting evidence.
The source told The Sun: “It was humiliating. There was no evidence, no apology. The woman left not long after, completely demoralised”.
In April, she was also quoted by The Sun as saying: “I hated seeing people bullied,” as she reflected on her time in school.
A recent source claims that while Frediani will continue to oversee BBC Breakfast and the News at One, Munchetty and Stayt are both “furious” with the decision and that a resignation would not be shocking.
A source told The Sun: “He makes no pretence of the fact that he is old-school and that means some people won’t like his working practices, but they are delivering excellent results and that’s what matters most to him.
“He feels like it has been a witch-hunt and it’s taken its toll but he’s cracking on. Naga and Charlie are furious and feel like the BBC have backed him over them.
“No one would be surprised if they ended up leaving.”
