This is the bizarre moment under-fire This Morning editor Martin Frizell is quizzed about an alleged ‘toxic work environment’ at ITV – and responds with a question about aubergine.
Frizell was approached by a reporter at Sky News ahead of Holly Willoughby’s return to the show this morning following the furore over Phillip Schofield’s departure after his admission of an affair with a younger colleague.
Asked if there is a ‘toxic’ work environment at This Morning, Frizell told the reporter: ‘I’ll tell you what’s toxic and I’ve always found it toxic. Aubergine. Do you like aubergine? Do you? Do you like aubergine because I don’t like aubergine. It’s just a personal thing.’
Mr Frizell’s bizarre response came as the This Morning editor – who is married to ITV presenter Fiona Phillips – today faced questions from a reporter as he left his home.
‘Is there a toxic work environment at This Morning,’ the reporter asked, before Mr Frizell hit back with his own strange line of questions.
The scandal surrounding This Morning exploded after Philip Schofield (left) admitted having an affair with a much younger man
John Nicolson MP, a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, tweeted: ‘This is a deeply inappropriate and disrespectful way to respond to questions about safeguarding vulnerable staff and bullying in the workplace at ITV.’
Former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes and former resident doctor Dr Ranj Singh have both made allegations of a ‘toxic’ culture behind the scenes.
Holmes has alleged there was a ‘total cover-up’ over the Schofield affair, while Dr Ranj said he raised concerns about ‘bullying and discrimination’ two years ago when he worked there and afterwards felt like he was ‘managed out’ for whistleblowing.
In a letter from ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall to Parliament on Wednesday, she said an external review conducted following a complaint made by Dr Ranj found ‘no evidence of bullying or discrimination’.
This Morning editor Martin Frizell (pictured) dodged questions outside his home
Mr Frizell has previously claimed that ex-stars of the show are ‘settling scores’ in response to accusations surrounding This Morning’s allegedly toxic work environment.
‘I think you have got to read between the lines, I think some scores are being settled,’ the ITV executive said.
He also denied being concerned about an external review being launched by ITV following concerns about the show from MPs and industry figures.
Mr Schofield previously claimed there was ‘no toxicity’ at This Morning and that it is instead ‘the best show to work on’.
In a statement last week, the ITV star claimed a ‘handful of people with a grudge against me’ has made complaints about the show.
‘In all the years I worked there there was no toxicity,’ the 61-year-old TV presenter said.
Mr Schofield’s statement came after he stepped down from This Morning and was dropped by his agent in May.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
