ITV has today released the findings of the internal review conducted by lawyer Jane Mulcahy KC into the Phillip Schofield saga.
Schofield left ITV earlier this year after admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a young runner on This Morning.
The former Dancing on Ice host claimed no one at ITV knew about the relationship.
Mulcahy launched a review of ITV in order to explore how ITV’s handled the rumours relating to the relationship between Phillip Schofield and the runner as well as go over complaints by employees and freelancers working on This Morning since January 2016.
The review aimed to see if ITV’s response to these areas of interest was appropriate and adequate.
Mulcahy’s investigation saw the lawyer interview 48 people across senior and junior levels of ITV’s staff.
Former staff were also interviewed as well as “on-screen personalities and those involved in managing on-screen talent.”
In the findings published by Mulcahy, she stated: “ITV’s management made considerable efforts to determine the truth about an alleged relationship between Schofield and Person X following on from the publication of a story in The Sun newspaper in early December 2019.
The report reveals ‘ITV was unable to uncover the relevant evidence until PS’s admission in late May 2023’
GETTY
“However, in the face of the denials of the individuals involved, ITV was unable to uncover the relevant evidence until Schofield’s admission in late May 2023.”
Andy Cosslett, ITV plc’s Chairman, welcomed the findings and recommendations of the review: “The KC review makes it clear that ITV’s management made considerable efforts to determine the truth about an alleged relationship between Schofield and Person X following media speculation.
“However, no concerns were reported and in the face of the denials of the individuals involved, ITV was unable to uncover the relevant evidence until Schofield’s admission in late May 2023.
“The KC makes it clear that the senior management of ITV and the senior team of This Morning were unaware of the nature of the relationship until Schofield’s statement in May 2023.
“We also asked the KC to review how we acted towards Person X and the KC has found that the company provided significant support to him.”
Cosslett also lauded Mucahy’s verdict that ITV’s complaint’s handling procedures were “fit for purpose” and “work well in practice”.
The ITV boss also mentioned how the review determined that there was “no finding of a ‘toxic’ culture and had there been one [she] would have said so.”
ITV has received “helpful direction” following the review, however, in order to “improve further, particularly around the ways in which concerns about behaviour are raised and responded to”, Cosslett said.
Phillip Schofield left his roles at This Morning, Dancing on Ice and other ITV shows earlier this year
PA
The full list of recommendations that have been given to ITV following the review are as follows:
- “Making increased efforts to ensure that TM/Daytime embraces its ‘Speaking Up’ policy at every level.”
- “Reviewing the structure of TM/Daytime to ensure close and centralised control of both production and editorial.”
- “Revisiting the HR structure and increase numbers of personnel where necessary.”
- “Centralising information on employees and promote the keeping of written records.”
- “Ensuring its ‘Talking Performance’ appraisal system is fully implemented and that performance management is prioritised.”
- “Publishing a talent ‘charter’ setting out key standards ITV expects to be upheld.”
- “Putting in place a process under which there is more open and direct communication with freelance talent.”
- “Clarifying the routes for handling complaints raised about or related to ITV talent.”
