Parliament’s media committee chair has clarified that the upcoming questioning of ITV’s chief executive won’t be a “witch hunt” towards former presenter Philip Schofield. Instead, Dame Caroline Dinenage explained that the session aims to address broader questions about workplace culture and practices following Schofield’s resignation because of a relationship with a youthful colleague. The Department of Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS) committee is about to query ITV, Channel four, and Channel 5 executives in regards to the draft Media Bill.
Dame Caroline expressed her considerations concerning the meeting being dominated by questions surrounding “This Morning” and invited ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall to a separate session with MPs subsequent Wednesday. The Conservative MP emphasised that the focus must be on workplace practices, methods, and processes that defend staff members within ITV and other public service broadcasters.
Class full , sixty one years outdated, admitted to an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a youthful male colleague, resulting in his departure from ITV and being dropped by talent company YMU. He has since denied grooming the person, who was 20 years old when their relationship started.
The DCMS committee will also address whistleblowing practices, as emails have been reportedly sent to ITV’s boss on a quantity of occasions, drawing consideration to Schofield’s state of affairs. Dame Caroline said that all public service broadcasters may be taught from this case and expressed her concern for Schofield, who has admitted having suicidal thoughts because the scandal emerged..