Large number of ITV This Morning employees claim show is bullying and toxic

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A "large number" of ITV's This Morning employees past and present have raised claims of "toxic working cultures, bullying, discrimination and harassment" to Parliament.

In June, ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall, managing director Kevin Lygo and general counsel and company secretary Kyla Mullins faced questions from MPs about former host Phillip Schofield's exit from the show amid allegations of a toxic culture.

In correspondence published on Wednesday, Dame Caroline Dinenage, chairwoman of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, told Dame Carolyn: "In the month that has passed since your appearance before the committee, we have been contacted by a large number of individuals who have identified themselves as currently working or previously having worked on This Morning or as part of the wider ITV Daytime team.

"These individuals speak with great pride about working at ITV and are hugely positive about many of their colleagues. However, they also raise claims of toxic working cultures, bullying, discrimination and harassment.

"Your letter of June 15 encourages individuals to raise their concerns through internal or external routes, and we will make individuals aware of those options.

"However, some of those individuals who have contacted us have described how their decision to raise concerns within ITV has led to further bullying and discrimination, and in some cases having to leave the organisation with a settlement agreement.

"It is easy to understand why those individuals, especially where they have left ITV and do not wish to relive their traumatic experiences, do not feel capable of attempting to report their concerns, or that ITV will take them seriously."

This comes after Dr Ranj, who used to work on the ITV programme, spoke about the show having a "toxic culture".

He issued a statement which explained how he raised his concerns about the show to an editor but then found himself being used "less and less".

He wrote: "I even took my concerns directly to the top of ITV: the culture at This Morning had become toxic, no longer aligned with ITV values, and I felt like because I whistle-blew I was managed out.

"But as history and experience have taught us, things like bullying and discrimination are very hard to prove, particularly in hindsight and when the 'people in power' control the narrative.

"… Still, I was assured that certain things were going to be addressed and changes made.

"I haven't worked on the show since… and I'm not the only one who has spoken up or experienced similar."

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