BBC Breakfast boss takes ‘extended leave' after bullying claims
The editor of BBC Breakfast, Richard Frediani, is taking an extended period of leave after allegations of bullying behaviour.
It comes after the Sun and Deadline reported that an internal investigation is being carried out into allegations of bullying at the program.
In March, Deadline reported that a minimum of two misconduct complaints had been made against Frediani.
One complaint alleged that the editor physically shook a colleague during an interaction in the newsroom in 2024.
More recently, Deadline also reported that BBC presenterNaga Munchetty had raised concerns with senior BBC figures regarding Frediani's conduct.
In addition, some ITN employees were said to have described Frediani as a 'bully,' alleging that he had shouted at, sworn at, and intimidated colleagues.
Sources told the outlet that multiple complaints had been submitted by staff members about his workplace conduct.
The publication further reported that newsreader Tina Daheley had expressed reservations about working on News at One, a programme overseen by Frediani.
She had originally been named as one of the bulletin's presenters before its relocation from London to Salford in May.
Daheley has continued in her role as a newsreader on Radio 2 in London and was reportedly 'understandably very cross' when her photograph was omitted from a BBC press release about the scheduling changes.
While the omission added to internal frustration, there is no suggestion that Frediani was responsible for the error.
When contacted for comment, a BBC spokesperson told Metro: 'While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values.
'We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed.'
It was also previously reported BBC presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt had no relationship with Frediani due to the allegations.
Frediani has been named in reports about bullying behaviour at ITN and BBC by Deadline, an industry website, and it was then claimed that he has a soured relationship with the BBC presenters. More Trending
A senior BBC figure in Salford has said that he has 'no relationship with the stars'.
'Fredi has no relationship with Charlie and Naga, which is weird when they are half of his frontline presenting roster,' the source told The Times.
Frediani has been the head of the program, which is broadcast daily from Salford, since 2019, and is also editor of the News at One.
Last month, he accepted a Bafta Award when the show won best TV news coverage for an episode about the Post Office scandal.
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