BBC in turmoil over Gregg Wallace allegations as presenter faces backlash for blaming ‘middle-class women’

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The BBC is facing further criticism over its response to allegations against Gregg Wallace amid a furious backlash to the MasterChef host’s claim that accusations that he had made sexual comments to staff and guests had come from “middle-class women of a certain age”. On Sunday morning, Wallace responded to accusations in a video posted on Instagram, claiming that they had come from “middle-class women of a certain age”, and declaring: “This isn’t right.” open image in gallery Wallace posted a video to Instagram on Sunday to say the complaints had come from a ‘handful of middle-class women of a certain age’ He added: “In 20 years, over 20 years of television, can you imagine how many women, female contestants on MasterChef, have made sexual remarks, or sexual innuendo? In a story published by the Telegraph, Caroline Dinenage, the Conservative chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, said: “BBC bosses appear in front of us on a regular basis and at the next opportunity I’m sure members will want to raise the issue of the BBC complaints process and whether it’s protecting the staff who work there or on its behalf.” And Labour MP and DCMS committee member Paul Waugh said: “Both BBC staff and the wider public will want to know whether the Corporation’s processes are fit for purpose.” A BBC source said: “While we are not going to comment on individuals or any internal HR processes, particularly when there is an ongoing process in place being run by Banijay, who have the direct contractual relationship with Gregg Wallace, it would be wrong to report the BBC has done nothing if or when matters have been raised with us – not least because it is already being widely reported there were interventions in both 2017 and 2018, where action was taken. “We continue to urge caution about pre-judging any of this, particularly the involvement of BBC staff members and any inference they have not acted appropriately.” open image in gallery Wallace is contracted on a series-by-series basis by Banijay for ‘MasterChef’, and will not be hired for future series during the ongoing investigation In a statement, a BBC spokesperson also said: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.