Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 2 June 2020, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 June 2020 (named day). It was answered by John Whittingdale (Conservative) on Monday, 8 June 2020 on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

BBC Northern Ireland: Bullying

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will hold urgent discussions with representatives of the BBC on investigating internal allegations of bullying by BBC Northern Ireland employees.

Answer: The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from the government and the government cannot intervene in the BBC’s day-to-day operations, including with regards staffing matters. The BBC Board is responsible for the governance of the BBC. The government established Ofcom as the BBC regulator to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account as the nation's broadcaster. Issues such as these are therefore to be dealt with by the BBC, the BBC Board and, when appropriate, Ofcom.

Secondary information