Downing Street issues statement on Gregg Wallace saying 'allegations are deeply concerning'
Downing Street have said that allegations about Gregg Wallace were “deeply concerning”. MasterChef host Gregg has stepped away from the show while historical misconduct complaints are externally reviewed by the show’s production company, Banijay UK. The 60 year old has denied allegations of inappropriate sexual comments he is said to have made.
A Number 10 spokesman said: “The allegations made are deeply concerning regarding today’s reporting. It’s right that a thorough investigation is conducted, but this of course is one for the BBC and you will have seen their statement saying that they ‘take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place’. While that process is underway it wouldn’t be right for me to comment. I believe the BBC is currently undertaking a workplace culture review to deliver clear and timely recommendations, and it’s essential that staff and the wider public have confidence that the BBC takes these issues seriously.”
A statement released by Banijay UK outlines that although complaints have been made to the BBC rather than directly to the production company, an external review will be conducted: "This week the BBC received complaints from individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with presenter Gregg Wallace on one of our shows.
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"Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate."
It continued: "While this review is underway, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully cooperating throughout the process."
A BBC spokesperson commented: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them. We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated.
"Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them.”
Since the news broke, it has emerged that 13 people, including former Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, have accused the presenter of inappropriate sexual comments. Newsnight stalwart Kirsty alleged that during filming of Celebrity MasterChef in 2011, Gregg made inappropriate "jokes of a sexualised nature" twice in the presence of crew and other participants.
Divulging her experience to BBC News, she described the comments as "really, really in the wrong place". The allegations against Gregg include 13 people reporting inappropriate sexual comments made by him across multiple shows over 17 years.
BBC News has been informed of further allegations against the presenter, including him "talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to 'give her a fashion show', and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans." These historical allegations of misconduct are now under investigation.
Gregg shared a video on Instagram on Thursday 28 November, following the announcement. He said: “I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reaching out and showing their support. That’s good of you. Thank you very much.”
Wallace's lawyers have said “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, BBC News reported.
