BBC staff 'request inquiry into misogyny and racism'

BBC staff have asked for an inquiry into allegations of misogyny and racism at the broadcaster, the chairman of a damning review into the culture of the London Fire Brigade has said.

Nazir Afzal, the former chief crown prosecutor for the North West, said he had been approached by three employees at the broadcaster, including a presenter, urging him to investigate incidents of “serious concern”.

Mr Afzal also called for a "national inquiry" into racism and misogyny across public services, including in the NHS and police.

Speaking in the wake of revelations contained in his report that the LFB is "institutionally racist and misogynistic", Mr Afzal said that numerous organisations "pivotal to British society" need to be investigated.

Mr Afzal told The Telegraph he had been contacted by three individuals at the BBC, two of whom are production staff and one a presenter.

'No confidence in internal process'

He said: "All three of them talked about their own experiences of racism, misogyny, hate crime and sexism that they've experienced.

“They say they haven't got any confidence in internal processes. They're scared. They're scared about speaking up because they think, whether true or not, that there will be consequences in terms of their career progression."

Mr Afzal also revealed he had been approached by members of five different police forces, and NHS staff.

He continued: "They are pivotal to British society, these organisations, and yet there are people within them that are seriously concerned about the way they're being treated."

Mr Afzal said that in order for an independent review to take place, the organisation involved had to request him to do so.

LFB's own review was commissioned after Jaden Francois-Espirit, a 21-year-old trainee firefighter, took his own life in 2020 following allegations he was being bullied.

He continued: "I don't know what to do, the BBC won't ask me, the NHS won't ask me. Somebody needs to ask the people who work in these organisations.

"There needs to be a national inquiry, particularly in relation to misogyny because this is a subject that hasn't had the attention that it deserves."

He added: "Experience has told me that there is no institution or organisation that can say with all honesty that they have nothing like the problems that we have identified in LFB, far from it.”

Mr Afzal is a solicitor with decades of experience dealing with high profile cases of child sexual exploitation and violence against women.

In his 24-year career, Mr Afzal has dealt with some of the most notorious cases in the country, including the prosecution of the Rochdale sex grooming gang.

His latest comments come after the publication of the LFB review, which exposed a widespread culture of misogyny and racism.

Over a period of 10 months, a seven-strong team led by Mr Afzal gathered evidence of firefighters' experiences in their day-to-day working environment. One black firefighter in the service was subject to racist bullying, which culminated in someone putting a mock noose above his locker.

A female firefighter told the review that the threshold for bullying is so high "you would have to gouge someone's eyes out to get sacked", adding: "Everything else is seen as banter."

She said she tells her female friends not to let male firefighters into their homes to check smoke alarms because they go through women's drawers looking for underwear and sex toys.

The report, titled Independent Cultural Review of London Fire Brigade, was published after inspectors visited stations and gathered submissions from staff at all levels.

While more than 4,500 of the London fire brigade’s 5,000 staff are firefighters, only 425 are women and just over 500 are from ethnic minorities.

The review’s 21 recommendations include the introduction of body-worn video by firefighters, a historic review of complaints about racism, misogyny and bullying over the past five years and secure facilities for all women in stations.

Swathes of firefighters face the sack

Andy Roe, the London Fire Commissioner, admitted that swathes of firefighters now face the sack if they are found to have been involved in any of the “egregious” behaviour.

Asked how many could lose their jobs, he added: "If we find that you have behaved in a way that is highlighted in this report, there is not a place for you in the London Fire Brigade.

"In a way the numbers don't matter to me."

He said they need to start the process "immediately", but added there are no estimates on how much it will cost.

A BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC is a modern and inclusive organisation that seeks to create a culture where everyone can thrive professionally and produce their best work.

“We have a zero tolerance approach and would encourage anyone who has witnessed or been subject to inappropriate behaviour, to report it."