Paul Waugh, Labour MP for Rochdale and member of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Select Committee, has called for answers from BBC leadership following the publication of an independent investigation into the behaviour of Gregg Wallace.
The investigation upheld more than half of the allegations made against Wallace, including inappropriate language and conduct, with failures by both the BBC and production company Banijay to act appropriately, despite complaints dating back before 2019. The report also highlighted poor record-keeping, confused processes, and a reluctance to challenge prominent on-screen talent.
Paul Waugh MP said:
“This independent report upholds complaints of multiple occasions when Gregg Wallace used sexualised language, was in a state of undress in front of women, and of ‘unwelcome physical contact’. All of which prove he was unfit to be on our TV screens and effectively paid by the BBC licence fee.
“But what’s just as worrying is yet again the BBC is admitting it missed opportunities to tackle his behaviour and that it accepts more should have been done sooner.
“I will be urging the committee to ask BBC Director General Tim Davie to explain why the sixth complaint against Wallace was described as a ‘first offence’ and why his previous behaviour was not properly communicated within the BBC. What does that say about BBC record keeping to protect vulnerable women, many of whom are young freelancers and already feel scared about reporting this lascivious conduct?”
The seriousness of these failures was echoed by CMS Committee Chair Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, who said:
“More than half of the allegations have been substantiated — showing long-standing failure to protect people against unacceptable workplace behaviour.
The majority of accusations pre-date 2019 and a confused complaints process and inadequate record keeping meant missed opportunities to address it. Most complaints were not raised with Mr Wallace himself, suggesting a reluctance to confront this head on and risk upsetting the on-screen talent.
Recent progress to weed out unacceptable behaviour in the industry, like the BBC’s Workplace Culture Review, risks being undermined with the raft of new claims relating to Mr Wallace. When complainants still find it easier to go to the press rather than use internal processes, there is clearly still a long way to go.
This report sets out the facts. It is for Banijay and the BBC to say what comes next. Acknowledging the need for change at MasterChef is a welcome first step. Both Banijay and the corporation now need to raise their game to ensure their complaints process is robust enough to inspire confidence in both staff and freelancers.”
In light of this report — along with other recent editorial controversies, including the BBC’s handling of its Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone documentary and its Glastonbury coverage — the CMS Committee has demanded that BBC Director General Tim Davie and Chair Samir Shah appear before MPs in September.
The session will provide an opportunity for the Committee to question BBC leadership directly on editorial standards, decision-making processes, complaints handling, and workplace culture, and to ensure that action is being taken to rebuild public trust.