Axed presenter slams BBC’s ‘toxic culture’ after her boss left her traumatised – and was allowed to keep his job
A LONG-SERVING BBC presenter has revealed how she was left traumatised after months of “systematic bullying” by a senior member of staff. BBC Newcastle host Sue Sweeney, who worked for the Beeb for more than 20 years, said that after one outburst she collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably. Months after the clash in November 2018 she was […]
A LONG-SERVING BBC presenter has revealed how she was left traumatised after months of “systematic bullying” by a senior member of staff.
BBC Newcastle host Sue Sweeney, who worked for the Beeb for more than 20 years, said that after one outburst she collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably.
Months after the clash in November 2018 she was sacked without warning, leaving her fans guessing as to why she had vanished from the station.
She later made a complaint to HR and was joined by her colleagues in a mass grievance.
But the member of staff was allowed to remain at the corporation.
The Sun on Sunday told last week how just SIX BBC employees have been dismissed for bullying and harassment since 2017 – despite 226 complaints.
And Sue, who says she needed counselling after her ordeal, called for BBC bosses to end a “toxic” culture of sweeping bullying claims under the carpet.
Sue said: “I worked for the BBC for more than 20 years and I was proud to do so. I enjoyed the work immensely until the arrival of a new employee.
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“His arrival brought unhappiness and fear. I lived in fear of this man’s systematic bullying.
“On one occasion – in November 2018 – I was in a meeting with him and he exploded in rage. I was bewildered by his behaviour and his ranting, which I thought would go on forever.
“I started to cry and shake. I was very upset and I started to feel scared. No one had ever spoken to me like that, in my work or private life. I felt traumatised.
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“Afterwards I couldn’t stop crying and I collapsed on the floor. I was a loyal member of the team who would never intentionally upset anyone.
“I was so upset that I felt I couldn’t move. The way he treated me was disgusting.
“And yet he kept his job.”
Soon after the clash, Sue was told her contract was being reduced from an annual agreement to one of just a few months as the channel was “going younger.”
Then in February 2019, she was told minutes after going off air that she had recorded her last show.
She said: “I was shocked, because it didn’t have to be like that. I could have had a nice handover, passed the lipstick on to Tamsin Robson, who replaced me.
“I do think it was ageism. They didn’t even bother changing the title – Sue’s Company became Tamsin’s Company – and that did hurt me.
“But the worst thing was that I couldn’t say goodbye to my listener.”
Sue’s sudden exit sparked a wave of speculation amongst her audience.
She went on to make a complaint to HR about her colleague’s behaviour and was later invited to a meeting in London to discuss her allegations. She was not permitted to bring her husband for support.
She was later asked to travel to Birmingham for a further meeting, but did not attend.
Sue, who now works for Durham OnAir added: “By that stage it was almost a year after I had left, and I thought it would never end.
“I just couldn’t get on the train and after that, I never heard anything again.
“I was told later that my colleagues spoke up in support of me. But the man who bullied me kept his job – and was just asked to take on further training.
“There is a toxic culture of ignoring allegations that exists at the BBC, and that needs to change. I haven’t listened to or watched a BBC channel since I left.”
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A BBC source last night said that Sue left in 2019 following a “refresh of the schedule.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “We do not comment on individual staffing matters. The BBC has a zero tolerance approach to bullying. All complaints are treated with the utmost seriousness and are investigated thoroughly.”
