Lisa Nandy 'prepared to take action' on 'cultures of silence' following Gregg Wallace misconduct scandal

The Secretary for Culture, Media, and Sport Lisa Nandy has told a parliamentary committee that she is "prepared to take further action" on "cultures of silence" in creative industries, as well as "issues being swept under the rug". Addressing the committee for Culture, Media, and Sport, Ms Nandy spoke about inappropriate behaviour, including questions around MasterChef host Gregg Wallace.

Wallace has stepped back from the long-running cooking programme as production company Banijay UK investigates allegations of misconduct. Addressing the committee, Ms Nandy said: “Having spoken with the BBC in recent weeks about the Gregg Wallace allegations, I am really clear that we’re seeing too many of these cultures of silence and issues being swept under the rug.

“People who cannot advance through the current complaints system because it would have an impact on their career, potentially ending their career. And I am clear that people need to be heard, action has to be taken and perpetrators have to be held to account.”

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Ms Nandy went on to say that she will meet with the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) on Wednesday, this is an independent body which aims to tackle harassment and bullying in the creative sector. She added: “They think, and I instinctively think, that it is better if the industry grips this, but if they don’t I will be prepared to take further action.”

In the fallout of the allegations against Gregg Wallace, the BBC has said previously that it will not “tolerate behaviour that falls below the standards we expect”. It added that it will continue to champion a “a culture that is kind, inclusive and respectful”.

The BBC