Some staff members at BBC Breakfast News are reportedly disappointed with Naga Munchetty amid a probe into accusations of bullying.
The BBC鈥檚 flagship morning show has been facing mounting scrutiny over the internal culture behind the scenes, with Munchetty reportedly raising concerns about outspoken editor Richard Frediani.
Last week, it was revealed Frediani has stepped away from his role for an extended period following a series of bullying allegations.
Sources are now claiming some former and current staff are defending Frediani and think Munchetty, 50, needs to 鈥渦nderstand鈥 that his 鈥渂rash鈥 leadership style has led to 鈥済reat television鈥.
鈥淗e is not a bully at all and the truth will come out. He鈥檚 a great boss and was – and is still – overwhelmingly loved by the team, who respect his drive, expertise, and journalistic ambition,鈥 an insider told The Mirror.
鈥淵es, he is old-school and can rub people up the wrong way but it鈥檚 always in the pursuit of great television. It鈥檚 the best-rating breakfast show in the country – it鈥檚 not supposed to be a walk in the park.鈥
The source went on: 鈥淪ome – Naga included – need to understand this. It feels like it鈥檚 a case of presenter power turfing out a brilliant journalist.鈥
Munchetty鈥檚 co-host Charlie Stayt is also believed to have a turbulent relationship with Frediani.
The Standard has contacted Munchetty鈥檚 representative for comment.
Frediani took a leave of absence after staff reportedly submitted multiple complaints against him.
He was accused of shouting, swearing and creating an intimidating working environment, sources told Deadline. The allegations date back further than his time at the BBC.
Former colleagues at ITN have also reportedly described Frediani as a 鈥渂ully,鈥 echoing similar claims of inappropriate workplace behaviour.
Frediani, who has been in charge of BBC Breakfast since 2019 and more recently also took on the News at One, has not responded publicly to the claims. The BBC has said it treats all complaints about workplace conduct 鈥渆xtremely seriously.鈥
In April, it was claimed Muchetty was 鈥渂arely speaking鈥 to Frediani after allegedly accusing him of bullying and misconduct.
A source told The Times: “Fredi has no relationship with Charlie [Strayt] and Naga, which is weird when they are half of his frontline presenting roster.
鈥淚t appears he doesn’t like them and they don’t like him 鈥 for whatever reason, they don’t talk to each other.”