Summary of complaint
We received complaints from people who think we have given too much coverage to allegations about Gregg Wallace鈥檚 conduct.
Our response
Allegations of inappropriate behaviour and sexual misconduct against Gregg Wallace, one of the country鈥檚 most recognisable television presenters, relating to several different programmes over a period of years, have raised questions for the 麻豆社 and wider media over workplace culture, safeguarding procedures, and the power of celebrity.聽 We have offered analysis of these issues and reflected the response this story has provoked.
麻豆社 News reports independently and impartially on stories related to the 麻豆社 in the same way we would any other organisation.聽 It is in this context that we carried out our investigation into Mr Wallace鈥檚 conduct and have detailed its findings and the subsequent allegations that have been made.聽 We have examined the implications for the 麻豆社, in terms of how they and Banijay, the production company responsible for MasterChef, have handled previous complaints against Mr Wallace, their decision to pull the Christmas episodes of MasterChef having originally said they wouldn鈥檛 do so, and the meeting 麻豆社 management held with the Culture Secretary to discuss this matter.
We have made clear the denial made by Mr Wallace and his lawyers of these allegations throughout our coverage, and updated our audience on his position.聽 The video Mr Wallace posted on social media, in which he attributed these allegations to 鈥渕iddle class women of a certain age鈥 provoked a strong reaction, including criticism from BECTU and Number 10.聽 We reported on this and the apology he later issued for having made this statement.聽
We believe our reporting of this story has been proportionate, reflecting the importance of the issues at hand.聽 The figures for our online coverage suggest there is a significant audience interest in this story.聽 However, we realise not everyone will agree with the stories we decide to cover or the prominence we give them. We have of course continued to cover several other stories of national and international importance, including the situations in South Korea, Syria, Sudan and Afghanistan.