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BBC 5 Live sports presenter George Riley 'suspended' amid allegations of sexual harassment | BBC 5 Live sports presenter George Riley 'suspended' amid allegations of sexual harassment |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Radio 5 Live presenter George Riley has been suspended by the BBC following claims of sexual harassment, according to reports. | |
Riley was absent from the coverage of the Wales match against Papua New Guinea yesterday despite covering previous Rugby League World Cup events for the station. | Riley was absent from the coverage of the Wales match against Papua New Guinea yesterday despite covering previous Rugby League World Cup events for the station. |
The sports presenter has allegedly been accused of groping five female colleagues, sources told The Sunday Times. He has been a presenter of 5 live Breakfast since 2011. | |
The allegations came to light as it emerged the BBC’s most senior female presenters have formed a group to “discuss issues” amid claims of sexual harassment at the organisation. | The allegations came to light as it emerged the BBC’s most senior female presenters have formed a group to “discuss issues” amid claims of sexual harassment at the organisation. |
Presenter Mishal Husain and TV broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire are reportedly among the women behind the group which has provided a safe space for colleagues to share and discuss sexual harassment at the BBC. | Presenter Mishal Husain and TV broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire are reportedly among the women behind the group which has provided a safe space for colleagues to share and discuss sexual harassment at the BBC. |
Riley and another unnamed man are reported to have formed the subject of some of the discussions. | Riley and another unnamed man are reported to have formed the subject of some of the discussions. |
The private group “is formed from some of the BBC’s most powerful female talent and editors... [and] it will not stand for sexual harassment of women at the corporation”, a source told the Sunday paper. | The private group “is formed from some of the BBC’s most powerful female talent and editors... [and] it will not stand for sexual harassment of women at the corporation”, a source told the Sunday paper. |
They added: “Complaints about these two men may just be the tip of the iceberg at the BBC.” | They added: “Complaints about these two men may just be the tip of the iceberg at the BBC.” |
It was originally created in July as a response to the issue of gender pay discrepancy at the corporation but has since evolved into a discussion about inappropriate sexual conduct. | It was originally created in July as a response to the issue of gender pay discrepancy at the corporation but has since evolved into a discussion about inappropriate sexual conduct. |
The Harvey Weinstein scandal is believed to have sparked a dialogue between the BBC’s top editors and presenters about sexual misconduct within the workplace. | The Harvey Weinstein scandal is believed to have sparked a dialogue between the BBC’s top editors and presenters about sexual misconduct within the workplace. |
The BBC’s Washington Correspondent, Rajini Vaidyanathan, is reportedly a member of the group and wrote about her experience of sexual harassment in the wake of the controversy. | The BBC’s Washington Correspondent, Rajini Vaidyanathan, is reportedly a member of the group and wrote about her experience of sexual harassment in the wake of the controversy. |
In 2004, an older colleague told her “I’m unbelievably sexually attracted to you” while they were covering the Republican Convention in New York. | In 2004, an older colleague told her “I’m unbelievably sexually attracted to you” while they were covering the Republican Convention in New York. |
Today programme presenter Husain has responded on Twitter, saying The Sunday Times article was “an inaccurate portrayal of conversations women at the BBC have been having”. | Today programme presenter Husain has responded on Twitter, saying The Sunday Times article was “an inaccurate portrayal of conversations women at the BBC have been having”. |
She went on to add that the group “discusses a wide range of issues, offering support and advice where necessary, It is wrong to portray it as being focused on sexual harassment or targeting individuals”. | She went on to add that the group “discusses a wide range of issues, offering support and advice where necessary, It is wrong to portray it as being focused on sexual harassment or targeting individuals”. |
It is understood that one of the alleged victims complained about Riley as part of the corporation’s Respect at Work Review in 2013. | It is understood that one of the alleged victims complained about Riley as part of the corporation’s Respect at Work Review in 2013. |
The independent review was “set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal to look at current BBC policies and processes relating to sexual harassment”. | The independent review was “set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal to look at current BBC policies and processes relating to sexual harassment”. |
Savile was found to have wantonly sexually abused women and children during his 40-year career without ever being brought to book. | Savile was found to have wantonly sexually abused women and children during his 40-year career without ever being brought to book. |
A BBC spokesperson said: “We can’t comment on individuals but treat any allegations seriously and have processes in place for investigating them.” | A BBC spokesperson said: “We can’t comment on individuals but treat any allegations seriously and have processes in place for investigating them.” |
The BBC have also reported the story on their own news channel but did not comment further. | The BBC have also reported the story on their own news channel but did not comment further. |