A “large number” of ITV’s This Morning staff have informed Parliament they confronted “further bullying and discrimination” after elevating issues of toxicity and harassment with the broadcaster. 

In June, ITV chief govt Dame Carolyn McCall faced questions from MPs about former host Phillip Schofield‘s exit from the daytime present amid allegations it was fostering a ‘poisonous’ bullying tradition.

In correspondence printed on Wednesday, Dame Caroline Dinenage, chairwoman of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, informed Dame Carolyn {that a} group of This Morning staff previous and current had since raised comparable claims to Parliament.

In the letter dated 24 July, Dame Caroline wrote: “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 people communicate with nice satisfaction about working at ITV and are massively constructive about a lot of their colleagues.

“However, they also raise claims of toxic working cultures, bullying, discrimination and harassment.

“Some of these people who’ve contacted us have described how their choice to lift issues inside ITV has led to additional bullying and discrimination, and in some instances having to depart the organisation with a settlement settlement.”

Dame Caroline mentioned it’s “easy to understand” why the people left ITV and “do not wish to relive their traumatic experiences”, in addition to believing ITV is not going to take them significantly.

In a response, Dame Carolyn requested the parliamentary committee to “encourage individuals to contact ITV via our reporting line SafeCall” via which reviews could be made confidentially or anonymously.

Alternatively people can contact Jane Mulcahy KC who’s main an exterior evaluation of the info after Schofield’s exit, which is predicted to be accomplished in September, Dame Carolyn mentioned.

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She continued: “As we made clear to you and the committee, we are absolutely committed to enabling people to raise any issues or complaints they may have about working at ITV.

“We all the time take these significantly and can examine and take no matter motion is acceptable. However, we’re unable to take action if we can’t have interaction with these folks.”

In the correspondence, MPs accused ITV managing director Kevin Lygo of being “inconsistent” in his explanation about who decided 61-year-old Schofield should leave This Morning, after he admitted to an “unwise however not unlawful” affair with a younger male colleague on the show.

In evidence to MPs in June, Mr Lygo suggested Schofield wanted to step down, but a statement on 20 May from the presenter said: “I perceive ITV has determined the present scenario cannot go on.”

In her response, Dame Carolyn insisted there was “no inconsistency”, writing: “As made clear, Mr Schofield expressed a need to depart This Morning however Kevin Lygo was the final word arbiter of such points – following discussions with everybody concerned.”