BBC Admits Sex Pests and Bullies Still Employed

[Teddy Bear]

Next time the BBC tells us that 'lessons have been learned' and 'being accountable', remember this story.

BBC admits sex pests and office bullies still working at corporation
Data revealed as the corporation deals with the aftermath of the Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall sex scandals

BBC bosses have admitted allowing workplace sex pests and office bullies to keep their jobs at the corporation.

Despite being found guilty of offences following internal investigations the offenders have been allowed to stay in their jobs at the broadcaster.

The corporation has had to deal with the aftermath of the Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall sex scandals.

Data from the BBC shows that in summer 2013 there were two people employed who had been convicted by internal investigations of sexually harassing work colleagues.

In addition another seven have kept their jobs despite being found guilty of bullying and harassment of their office staff.

The BBC, which has a Bullying and Harassment Policy document for staff, says it defines sexual harassment as "unwanted conduct of a sexual nature" and examined records over a seven-year period, from 2006.

The explanation goes on to say the inappropriate conduct "has the purpose or effect of violating someone's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive working environment".

Of the nine cases all but one of them has been allowed to carry on working for the BBC at the same pay grade as they were before the complaint against them was upheld.

One of them was demoted by one grade, one case is still open while the other seven individuals received written warnings that their behaviour was not acceptable.

The details of the bullies and sex pests who have been allowed to carry on working at the BBC was revealed in a Freedom of Information disclosure by the corporation.

It was asked to state how many full-time employees working for the BBC had been disciplined in any way for either sexual harassment or bullying and what action had been taken against them.

A BBC spokesman said: "The BBC takes bullying very seriously and has recently introduced major improvements to its policies on bullying and harassment in the workplace.

“Whilst every individual case is different, the purpose of disciplinary action short of dismissal is to make clear the BBC does not tolerate this type of behaviour and to ensure that the individuals involved are disciplined and this action is put on record.”

A recent survey found nearly two thirds of women workers across the UK have had a male work colleague behave "inappropriately" towards them.

The research, which was commissioned by employment law specialists Slater & Gordon, found that the desk, the office lift or the firm's party were the venues where the office sex pest is most likely to strike.

More than a third of women surveyed said a senior male colleague had made inappropriate comments about their breasts, sex life, backside, or the clothes they were wearing.

Claire Dawson, employment lawyer at Slater & Gordon, said: "If an employee has sexually harassed a colleague, then this will often give an employer grounds for summary dismissal.

"Employers' policies should make clear that sexual harassment may amount to gross misconduct, particularly when perpetrated by a manager on one of their reports.

"If a perpetrator remains in post, you would expect to see at the very least a disciplinary warning and compulsory training on the issue and a clear indication that any further harassment will not be tolerated.

"Sexual harassment and bullying have no place in the workplace and it's worrying that these issues continue to be a widespread problem for some organisations.
"As an employment lawyer I have advised a number of clients who have been the victims of some serious cases of sexual harassment at work.

"I am often shocked by the response of managers and colleagues who either don't know how to deal with the allegations effectively or somehow think the victims have done something to deserve their treatment."

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30 members of staff at the BBC complained about one particular man for bullying and favouritism, yet it's taken a year for the BBC to finally do something about it, and move this man out of his position as head of 'Newsbeat' into a so far undisclosed position.
One might imagine that considering the number of highly paid executives employed by the BBC a decision like this could have been made far sooner, but as has been all too evident, highly paid executives do not reflect value for money, or any increase in quality - quite the contrary.

I try to get my head around this statement:
The Independent reported this week that eight members of BBC staff were disciplined for bullying or sexual harassment in the first nine months of last year but only one was dismissed. “It’s not the case that there is no room for bullies at the BBC. There are just different places for them,” said one source.
Which pretty much can be interpreted as a sanction for this behaviour to continue - at the licence fee payers expense.

‘Newsbeat’ chief Rod McKenzie moved after complaints of bullying from over 30 BBC staff

The BBC has moved one of its senior news executives from his job in charge of Newsbeat, the broadcaster’s youth news service, following complaints from more than 30 members of staff over his alleged bullying management style, The Independent has learnt.

Rod McKenzie, Newsbeat’s long-standing editor and a former presenter, has denied any wrongdoing during a BBC disciplinary process that has lasted for almost a year. Mr McKenzie was last year considered a possible new controller of speech-based network BBC Radio 5 Live in Salford.

But the BBC’s Head of Programmes Ceri Thomas has briefed Newsbeat’s staff to tell them that Mr McKenzie is to be moved out of the BBC’s network news department to another part of the corporation in an unknown role.

It is understood that Mr McKenzie has been given a final written warning and is taking one month’s leave. There is unhappiness at the outcome among complainants, some of whom have left the BBC.

The Independent reported this week that eight members of BBC staff were disciplined for bullying or sexual harassment in the first nine months of last year but only one was dismissed. “It’s not the case that there is no room for bullies at the BBC. There are just different places for them,” said one source.

The complaints against Mr McKenzie formed part of a review last year led by Dinah Rose QC into allegations of bullying and other forms of harassment at the BBC.

The allegations of bullying against Mr McKenzie were spread over two decades. He was alleged to have had his favourites within the Newsbeat team and to have “frozen out” those whom he did not like, shouting at individuals in front of other staff. Mr McKenzie continues to protest his innocence, believing he has been the victim of a social media campaign.

A source close to him said: “He strongly rejects these claims and maintains that his behaviour is entirely in keeping with a pressurised news environment.” Mr McKenzie was said to be pleased that some of the “most lurid” claims about him were not upheld.

He is said to have disputed that he had favourites, arguing that “a favourite is a high achiever by another name”.

The BBC’s disciplinary process did not uphold claims against Mr McKenzie that he brought prejudices to the process of deciding which members of staff lost their positions as part of the BBC’s Delivering Quality First efficiency savings process.

Mr Thomas told Newsbeat staff that McKenzie had been the subject of “many more expressions and testimonials of support than criticism”.

Mr McKenzie is described by colleagues as a “complex” character. Following the “Sachsgate” furore over comments made by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross on the voicemail of actor Andrew Sachs and broadcast on BBC Radio 2, Mr McKenzie wrote a blog in which he claimed criticism of the presenters was based on “synthetic” anger and driven by “salary envy and Schadenfreude”.

The BBC is under pressure to address internal bullying after Ms Rose’s “Respect At Work” review received submissions from 930 people. Parts of the subsequent report made “uncomfortable reading”, said the BBC Director General,Tony Hall.

“We need to be honest about our shortcomings and single minded in addressing them. I want zero tolerance of bullying and a culture where people feel able to raise concerns and have the confidence that they will be dealt with appropriately,” he added.

The BBC said: “We do not discuss internal staff or disciplinary issues.”

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It is strange that despite the claims of bullying and sexual harassment that Mackenzie has been found guilty of within his BBC department, that he is just moved to another department. What is that supposed to do for the morale of staff in that new department, as well as throughout the BBC?
Some staff feel the decision not to sack McKenzie contradicts assurances by Lord Hall, the BBC director-general, who said there would be a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to bullying last year. Last night, a BBC insider said: ‘The upshot is that staff will not bring cases forward now. That is the most damaging thing.’

Not for the first time a director general says things that will sound good to the public but the reality is far from that. Hot air or 'Gullible Warming' when applied to the BBC.

Now another executive has been found to have been doing the same.

Another bully at the BBC: MoS reveals that senior editor who left his radio star wife for talkshow host bullied staff and faces probe over sexual harassment and expenses

• Mark Sandell said to be bullying staff, faces claims of sexual harassment and his expenses are being scrutinised
• Is a senior editor and partner of Radio 5 Live presenter Victoria Derbyshire
• Comes as bosses were accused of 'fudging' Rod McKenzie's case
• BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat editor moved job after he was found to have bullied several staff

By Paul Cahalan

Another top BBC executive has been found guilty of bullying staff, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Mark Sandell, a senior editor and partner of Radio 5 Live presenter Victoria Derbyshire, also faces claims of sexual harassment against a female employee.

Last night, the BBC also confirmed that his expenses claims were being scrutinised.

The latest investigation follows outrage after BBC bosses were accused last week of ‘fudging’ the case of Newsbeat editor Rod McKenzie. He moved to another job after he was found to have bullied several staff. There are wider concerns of a bullying culture at the organisation.

Some staff feel the decision not to sack McKenzie contradicts assurances by Lord Hall, the BBC director-general, who said there would be a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to bullying last year. Last night, a BBC insider said: ‘The upshot is that staff will not bring cases forward now. That is the most damaging thing.’

After a lengthy process involving Mr Sandell, editor of the BBC’s World Have Your Say, a disciplinary upheld a bullying claim but is still looking at the allegation of sexual harassment, it can be revealed.

Separately, it is understood Mr Sandell’s expenses are still being investigated by the BBC’s Investigation Unit.

Mr Sandell, who remains in his job while the various disciplinary processes conclude, was married to BBC presenter Fi Glover for two years. He left her in 2002 for BBC Radio 5 presenter Ms Derbyshire, with whom he has two children.

World Have Your Say, which broadcasts on radio on The World Service and TV on BBC World News, is one of the Corporation’s flagship shows abroad and is watched and listened to by millions of people worldwide.

One well-placed source said: ‘Mr Sandell is someone who is known to have had a reputation for as long as he has been at the BBC. He was at 5 Live and other parts of the BBC and his reputation goes before him.

‘There have been previous complaints [of bullying] against him.’

It is not known if these claims have ever been investigated.

Rod McKenzie was moved from his job as head of Newsbeat, Radio 1’s news bulletin, after being investigated for more than 30 complaints.

Among the allegations against him, first revealed in The Mail on Sunday in October last year, Mr McKenzie allegedly told one mixed-race member of staff that ‘he had made a mistake hiring me’ and that ‘your voice is not black enough’. That complaint was not upheld.

Despite the raft of complaints, Mr McKenzie, who denied the allegations, some of which were not upheld, was given a final written warning and was posted to another, as yet undisclosed, post.

But some who complained have accused the BBC of failing to protect whistle-blowers, adding management appeared to side with Mr McKenzie, who has taken a month’s leave.

Ceri Thomas, the BBC’s head of programmes, briefed Newsbeat staff on the McKenzie situation last week and said Mr McKenzie had ‘many more expressions and testimonials of support than criticism’. One complainant, who did not want to be named, said: ‘It is outrageous for someone from management to say that. Obviously those that gave testimonials were not the ones who were bullied.’

Another BBC insider said the result of the McKenzie complaint would leave staff deflated.

The insider said: ‘People are very angry and the upshot is that staff will not bring cases forward now, that is the most damaging thing.’

A source close to Mr McKenzie said: 'Rod rejects these claims and maintains that his behaviour was entirely in keeping with a pressured news environment.'

A former member of the Newsbeat staff defended Mr McKenzie, saying: 'The idea that there was a culture of paranoia and fear about Newsbeat is nonsense. There's a greater proportion of past and current staff who would describe him as an uncompromising but brilliant and inspiring boss.

'Tough, yes, but always fair and wanting to get the very best out of everyone. My experience in Rod's newsroom set me and many others up to go and have successful careers elsewhere and still work by his high standards."

Another former colleague added: 'He was always very encouraging to young talent and very supportive. I don't recognise these descriptions of his behaviour.'

Conservative MP Rob Wilson has written to Lord Hall about the McKenzie issue. He said: ‘This decision looks like a fudge and I’m sure that victims of bullying across the BBC will feel a sense of betrayal.

‘It is bound to damage their confidence that their employer will stand up for them in cases of bullying.’

Following the Jimmy Savile scandal, the BBC commissioned Dinah Rose QC to look at its bullying and sexual harassment procedures.

The Respect At Work review, also known as the Rose report, received submissions from more than 930 individuals and made a series of recommendations, including resolving accusations within 30 days and launching a confidential hotline where staff can report abuse.

The investigations into the complaints against Mr Sandell have lasted at least six months to date, while Mr McKenzie’s case took almost a year to resolve. After the Rose review’s publication, Lord Hall said the report made ‘uncomfortable reading’. He said: ‘We need to be honest about our shortcomings and single minded in addressing them.

‘I want zero tolerance of bullying and a culture where people feel able to raise concerns and have the confidence that they will be dealt with appropriately.’

But last week the Department for Culture, Media and Sport revealed there were 42 incidents of whistle-blowing at the BBC in 2012, with 22 of these reported via the hotline. In the first nine months of 2013, the rate of calls fell to 23, with six coming through the hotline.

A BBC spokesman said the Corporation would ‘not comment on staff matters’. But he said: ‘Bullying or harassment will not be tolerated at the BBC. We are implementing all Respect at Work recommendations and the BBC is leading the industry in the way it supports staff with complaints. With ambitious targets and a raft of new support for staff we are committed to ensuring all complaints are dealt with as quickly and fairly as possible.’

Regarding why cases are taking too long to resolve, he added: ‘While we are committed to dealing with cases in a timely fashion, the most important factor is that they are considered properly and fairly.

‘For the most complex cases this may mean they could take longer than 30 days to consider, particularly where multiple interviews are needed. Also, some cases have involved a subsequent disciplinary and appeals processes.’

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When I saw this story in the Mail a few days ago BBC presenter Mark Lawson quits Radio 4's Front Row after 16 years citing 'personal reasons'... as unit is embroiled in bully row, there was a suspicion that he might have been involved in bullying.

The article today confirms it, though I note that because of the way the BBC urged their higher paid presenters to form private companies to avoid paying higher taxes, he can't be fired.

Silence from the BBC over claims R4 star bullied staff: Petition signed by 15 employees accused Mark Lawson of 'appalling behaviour'

• Front Row host, 51, has stepped down from his Radio 4 programme
• Petition accused him of 'browbeating junior staff' and 'appalling behaviour'
• He can not be fired by the BBC as he works as a self-employed freelancer
• New series Mark Lawson Talks To... will go ahead as scheduled

By Andrew Pierce

The BBC maintained a wall of silence yesterday over the bullying claims against its arts presenter Mark Lawson.

The Front Row host has stepped down from his Radio 4 programme after a petition signed by 15 staff members accused him of ‘appalling behaviour’ and ‘browbeating junior staff’.

But bosses refused to give any details of the allegations or say if he will return to radio. The 51-year-old works for the BBC as a self-employed freelancer so he cannot be fired by the Corporation. Next week, the new series of his BBC4 show Mark Lawson Talks To... will go ahead as scheduled.

Lawson has not spoken publicly about his departure since the news was revealed yesterday. Neighbours at his Northamptonshire farmhouse said he decided to ‘escape for a while’ rather than answer the allegations. However, some of the broadcaster’s friends have already leapt to his defence and accused the BBC of overreacting.

Writing on Twitter, author and journalist Tony Parsons – who wrote the bestselling novel Man and Boy – said he was ‘shocked and saddened’ by the news.

He added: ‘He is a real gentle giant and the BBC are starting to get hysterical. I worked with him for six years and I have never known anyone less like a bully than Mark Lawson. Total pro: respectful and friendly to all.’

During a two-decade long career in which he has had more than 3,000 guests on his show, Mark Lawson was proud of what he called his sensitive questioning technique.

In an interview last October, he said he was particularly keen not to encourage his guests to become too emotional.

‘I’m always uneasy both as a viewer and an interviewer with tears on TV because it is one of the most private reflexes becoming public,’ he said.

But some production staff at the BBC Radio arts unit that produces Front Row claim to have seen a very different side to the presenter, labelling him a bully who was capable of reducing women to tears. According to one insider, the response by BBC management until now was to move any staff who claimed to be unhappy rather than to confront Lawson, because it didn’t want to risk upsetting one of its stars.

But with the recent launch of a BBC confidential 24-hour ‘bullying and harassment’ telephone line for staff and freelancers, the situation changed.

The BBC’s human resources department emailed staff, asking if anyone had been subjected to harassment. Within days of the email, a letter signed by 15 current and former production staff was sent to Graham Ellis, the deputy head of BBC Radio, which described a ‘culture of bullying and a failure of management to protect staff’.

Tony Hall, the BBC’s director-general, had also pledged a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to bullying after a critical report by a QC in the wake of the Jimmy Savile child abuse scandal.

The report uncovered 37 complaints of sexual harassment and highlighted problems involving ‘known bullies’ and identified complainants who had been working in ‘a climate of fear and anxiety’. Lawson was not identified as one of the culprits, even though it is believed that management knew there had been ‘issues’ with his behaviour.

Bosses were not thought to be keen on action because Lawson was regarded as a ‘brilliant presenter’ – having interviewed some of the biggest names in the arts world, including Robert de Niro, Woody Allen and Helen Mirren. But a senior BBC source said yesterday that after the letter of complaint, an internal inquiry was launched last October involving two managers from Salford and two members of the human resources team.

Their conclusion was that ‘Lawson’s position had become untenable’.

Lawson was born in St Albans, where he attended a fee-paying Catholic school before studying English at university in London.

He lives with his wife Sarah, two sons and daughter in a £500,000 detached stone cottage in Towcester. During the week, Lawson stays in a rented one-bedroom flat in fashionable Notting Hill, west London.

As a freelancer, the BBC pays him through a service company, Wilanben, of which his wife is a director.

As he is taxed as a company director rather than an individual, the corporation tax he pays on profits is up to 20 per cent lower than income tax paid by other high-earners on PAYE. He has also been a columnist on The Guardian newspaper.

A BBC spokesman said: ‘We don’t confirm or comment on human resources issues.’

[Teddy Bear]

Just a reminder that Tony Hall pledged to be tough on bullies and abusers after a hitherto 'look the other way' despite numerous complaints.
His idea of 'being tough' is moving accused to different departments. Must do great for company morale.

Fury as BBC bully is promoted to plum job after being found guilty of abuse despite 'zero tolerance' vow

• News chief Jim Buchanan investigated over claims he intimidated staff
• Received written warning after a year-long probe upheld bullying claims
• Sources say Mr Buchanan has been moved to another senior role
• Critics say BBC was again failing to take bullying claims seriously

By Paul Cahalan

The BBC was last night accused of ‘playing musical chairs’ after a senior executive was found guilty of bullying but then moved to what has been described as a ‘plum job’ in the Corporation.

Jim Buchanan, a news chief, received a written warning after a year-long investigation upheld claims that he bullied and intimidated staff.

The complaints were said to be about verbal abuse and sending intimidating emails to colleagues.

But yesterday sources said Mr Buchanan had been moved to another senior role, leading to criticism that the Corporation was again failing to take bullying claims seriously.

Despite pledges by Lord Hall, the BBC Director General, to introduce a ‘zero tolerance’ of bullying, insiders expressed outrage that some managers appeared to be ‘untouchable’ and were ‘effectively promoted’ rather than disciplined when found guilty.

As the BBC reels from the departure of well-respected arts presenter Mark Lawson, who left last week after at least 15 staff complained about his behaviour, The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Mr Buchanan, head of deployment for home news, is the third senior manager in two months to be found guilty of bullying but keep his job.

Claims of bullying have already been upheld against him, the BBC have confirmed, but it is understood that Mr Sandell is working on other projects in the World Service while the investigation concludes.

One senior BBC source said members of Mr Sandell’s team were rallying around him, with some writing to say they wanted him back on the programmes.

The Buchanan saga has echoes of the recent case involving Rod McKenzie, the Radio 1 news editor who was moved sideways into another department despite having numerous complaints upheld against him.

This led to widespread criticism of the Corporation’s supposed new tough stance on bullying which was the result of a damning report into BBC culture by Dinah Rose QC.

Mr McKenzie was moved from his job as head of Newsbeat, Radio 1’s news programme aimed at youngsters, after being investigated for more than 30 complaints.

He denied the allegations, some of which were not upheld, but was given a final written warning and moved to a position of head of development for local radio.

Tomorrow Mr Buchanan, who worked as a journalist at ITN before joining the BBC, is due to start as head of outside broadcasts for the World War One project on the same pay, sources said.

He is known to have a keen interest in wartime history and even started a project called Rutland Remembers, to commemorate those who fell in the First World War.

One BBC insider criticised his new role, saying: ‘It is effectively a promotion for him.’

Another said: ‘He has been moved to a plum job – he has been given the keys to the sweet shop.

‘You can imagine how a lot of the people who raised complaints feel. It adds to the feeling that many have that some managers are untouchable. It is McKenzie all over again.

‘The bullying really affected a lot of people. After the complaint was finally finished one person said to me, “I can finally sleep now.” Others who said they thought they were quite resolute and could cope with it also admitted they were struggling.’

Several BBC workers made complaints of bullying and intimidation against Mr Buchanan last year, with other staff providing statements in support of those making the claims, it is understood.

Some complaints were not upheld, though the BBC would not disclose which.

The source added: ‘A lot of those that complained about Buchanan do not even know what parts of the allegations were upheld. They were not allowed to see the judgment or know how those looking at the complaint came to their decisions.’

Tory MP Philip Davies, a member of the Commons Culture Select Committee, said that he could not comment on individual cases, but pointed to a ‘cultural problem’ of bullying within the BBC. ‘It seems to me that they have a serious issue that needs tackling. There appears to be a cultural problem within the BBC. The organisation is playing musical chairs which is perpetuating the problem.

‘Tony Hall’s definition of zero tolerance is totally different from mine. In my organisation, bullies would be out.’

Mystery still surrounds the departure of Mr Lawson, who interviewed thousands of famous names including Dame Helen Mirren, Robert De Niro and Woody Allen.

He left the Corporation after a petition signed by 15 journalists complained about problems in the BBC’s arts department and led to him and an unnamed producer being cited for bullying.

Last week Lawson released a statement which said: ‘The BBC and I have agreed that I should step down as presenter of [arts programme] Front Row and for personal reasons I shall be taking a break from live daily radio journalism.’

He added: ‘It has been an extraordinary experience and privilege to work on the programme for 16 years and I very much hope to be able to return to work on Radio 4 in the future.’

The BBC commissioned Dinah Rose to look at its bullying and sexual harassment procedures following the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Her Respect At Work review, also known as the Rose Report, received submissions from more than 930 individuals and made recommendations, including resolving accusations within 30 days, and launching a confidential hotline through which staff could report abuse.

In an interview last week Lord Hall said: ‘What happens when you say you won’t tolerate bullying and harassment is that you get a hump of more cases coming forward. That’s to be expected.

‘These things take a lot of careful management but I want a culture where people can come to work and feel they are valued and don’t feel bullied. These are not easy things to deal with but we are working our way through that.’

A BBC spokesman said last night: ‘We do not comment on individual cases but where we find instances of bullying they will be dealt with.

‘The BBC is leading the industry in the way we support staff with complaints and this includes maintaining a confidential and fair process.

‘The fact that we do not comment on individual cases does not indicate that the BBC accepts that suggestions put to us by any newspaper are factually accurate.’

[Teddy Bear]

As you will have read above, back in March after Mark Lawson was accused by 15 staff of bullying he decided to resign 'for personal reasons'.
One could almost imagine that Tont Hall's pledge for zero tolerance on bullying was sincere.
Except that now the accusations have 'died down', Lawson is now back working for the BBC. Presumably it will still be as a freelancer enabling him to pay less tax than being directly employed by them.

Bullying row presenter Mark Lawson returns to BBC
Front Row presenter Mark Lawson, who resigned amid allegations of bullying last March, will be back at Radio 4 next week

By Keith Perry

Mark Lawson who stepped down from the BBC flagship arts programme Front Row amid allegations of bullying, is to return to Radio Four, it has been disclosed.

Lawson, who resigned last March, will be back at Radio 4 next week with the third series of Foreign Bodies, a set of documentaries focusing on different aspects of crime fiction.

The series will examine “how mystery novels have reflected five different political systems”.

A BBC spokesman told the Evening Standard: “When Mark Lawson left Front Row earlier this year we said we hoped to work with him again and this month he will be back on Radio 4.”

When he resigned in March, Lawson 51, said he was leaving the arts review programme for "personal reasons" but BBC insiders identified him as the subject of a bullying investigation that started in January.

A petition signed by 15 members of the Radio Arts Unit was delivered to Graham Ellis, the deputy director of BBC Radio, making claims against Lawson and a BBC producer.

Colleagues apparently complained of "appalling behaviour" and that he has been "browbeating junior staff". A source with knowledge of the investigation said at the time: "Some of the people who work in the unit are young freelancers who might feel unable to stand up to him. He has had a position of influence for a long time. I think it was very clear that there was a real problem and they had to deal with it.
"The investigatory process had moved on to a disciplinary process, and it was after that happened that he decided to leave."

When The Daily Telegraph spoke to Lawson at his farmhouse in Towcester, Northants, about the allegations he said at the time: "I have nothing to say. We have a family illness. This is private property." He is understood to have denied bullying any of his colleagues, though he acknowledged there were "editorial arguments".

In a written statement he said: "For personal reasons I shall be taking a break from live daily radio journalism.
"It has been an extraordinary experience and privilege to work on the programme for 16 years and I very much hope to be able to return to work on Radio 4 in future."

He added that the decision for him to leave had been reached jointly with the BBC.

The bullying investigation was carried out by a senior manager from BBC Manchester and two executives from the Corporation's human resources department. The complaint detailed "a culture of bullying and a failure of management to protect staff", according to reports.

Last year, Lord Hall of Birkenhead, the BBC's director–general, pledged "zero tolerance" to bullying following an unrelated report by Dinah Rose QC, commissioned in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal, which concluded bullying was widespread in the corporation, with an inadequate complaints procedure.

[Teddy Bear]

The husband of a now deceased former employee of the BBC, who had claimed she was bullied as a result of highlighting waste and bad decisions within the corporation, has been refused emails that would prove it.

Remember Hall's pledge for a zero tolerance attitude towards bullying? Well read the story and see what you see operating here.

You can't have your wife's work emails...because she's dead: What BBC told grieving widower who says whistleblowing partner was bullied by bosses

• Mother-of-two died following a 10-year battle with a brain tumour
• She worked at BBC in Cardiff where husband claims she was bullied
• Marie Csaszar gave evidence at BBC’s 2013 Respect At Work review
• He asked for emails under the Data Protection Act but was refused

By MILES GOSLETT AND NICK CRAVEN FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

The BBC has refused to hand over the emails of a deceased woman to her grieving husband, who believes they will prove she was ‘bullied’ by the Corporation’s management towards the end of her life.

Mother-of-two Marie Csaszar, 45, died last September following a ten-year battle with a brain tumour.

She had worked for seven years at the BBC’s financial centre in Cardiff as a contracts manager, but according to her husband Paul, she was forced out of the post into another job after drawing attention to management blunders which he says cost licence-fee payers about £150,000.

Legal experts described the case as ‘highly unusual’, but predicted that it could be followed by similar claims as digital documents such as emails and social media posts play an increasingly important part in people’s lives.

Facebook users in the US have the chance to designate a ‘legacy contact’ who can take over parts of their account after their death.

Mr Csaszar says he believes the BBC failed in its duty of care to his late wife, and the treatment she received from management affected her health.

He asked the BBC under the Data Protection Act for copies of his wife’s emails, in the hope they will provide evidence of her ‘appalling’ treatment by the Corporation, which he has spent months pursuing.

However, he was told last month by the BBC that under the Act, personal data is defined as only ‘data which relates to a living individual’.

Despite Mr Csaszar being his wife’s legal next of kin, an email from the BBC – seen by The Mail on Sunday – read: ‘Unfortunately as your wife has sadly passed away it is not possible for you to exercise the right to access her personal data under the Data Protection Act.’

Mr Csaszar said his wife gave evidence to the BBC’s 2013 Respect At Work review that was set up to look into sexism and bullying following the Jimmy Savile scandal.

He said it was her evidence which led the chairwoman, Dinah Rose QC, to conclude some senior Corporation staff were viewed as ‘untouchable’.

Details of the individuals who were the subject of Mr Csaszar’s complaint cannot be published for legal reasons but they involve at least one senior manager on a six-figure salary.

Last night, self-employed businessman Mr Csaszar, 48, said: ‘Marie was being hammered from one side to the other towards the end of her life. Nobody stood up and objected.

‘The treatment which Marie experienced at the hands of the BBC affected her recovery. She was constantly upset and left in tears, saying, “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve being treated like this.”

‘They didn’t want Marie on the staff because she knew too much about what had gone on.

‘She would refuse to sign off certain contracts because they didn’t show value for money, but they were signed off anyway. This caused her a great deal of stress.’

Mrs Csaszar underwent intensive treatment for her cancer over several years, which left her suffering with epilepsy. However, she continued to work in her £50,000-a-year post, and raised serious concerns that could have saved licence-fee payers’ money, her husband claims.

In a formal grievance procedure with the BBC in 2013, Mrs Csaszar raised a complaint about the closure of a cash office run by an outside contractor.

She was advised by the BBC’s legal department that the Corporation was not liable under its contract to pay any money towards redundancy for staff employed by the contractors. But she told her husband that about £35,000 was paid out anyway.

Mr Csaszar says he is desperate to see emails referring to his wife and how she was treated following her whistleblowing.

He contacted the Information Commissioner’s Office, only to be told that the release of the documents was ‘at the discretion’ of the BBC.

Mr Csaszar has raised his request with the BBC Trust, the Corporation’s watchdog, and is considering legal action.

A BBC spokesman said: ‘We were very sorry to hear of Ms Csaszar’s death. A thorough investigation was carried out into her complaint and the outcome was provided to her in July 2013.

We have provided this response to her husband. Ms Csaszar then attended work from October 2013 to May 2014 and did not raise a further appeal to her complaint.’