ITV boss says allegations of toxicity at This Morning 'deeply disappoints me'

ok.co.uk:

ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall said the broadcaster does not recognise allegations of a toxic culture at This Morning and reiterated claims "deeply disappoint" her.

The chief executive faced questions from MPs alongside ITV managing director Kevin Lygo and general counsel and company secretary Kyla Mullins about former host Phillip Schofield 's shock exit during Wednesday morning's Culture, Media and Sport Committee session in Parliament.

Since the 61 year old's resignation last month, This Morning has been plagued with allegations of "toxicity". Dame Carolyn confirmed the show has had two complaints about bullying or harassment in five years which were "both taken very seriously", including from the show's former resident doctor Dr Ranj Singh, who raised concerns about "bullying and discrimination" and later said he felt like he was "managed out" for whistleblowing.Talking about the allegations, she said: "It deeply disappoints me but we do not recognise that at This Morning, we have tangible evidence to tell you where the vast majority of people at daytime at This Morning are extremely engaged and very motivated." She later added: "When you use those words about our culture, we don't recognise that at our culture, it doesn'tmean we don't take it seriously." MP John Nicholson told the panel he had received many messages from employees past and present at ITV talking about the bullying culture at the broadcaster, with one describing daytime TV as "particularly toxic".The chief executive said: "They're very disappointing to hear.

Deeply distressing. I've said we've had two official complaints, both of them investigated – it does not fill me with anything but sorrow." Dame Carolyn pushed back strongly against allegations.