BBC Scotland’s news chief quits
Industrial dispute avoided after Boothman moves to charter role
BBC Scotland’s head of news and current affairs John Boothman has stepped down following a row over the handling of grievance and bullying allegations. leadersIt comes met three BBC days managementafter union over concerns about the treatment of staff in the Scottish newsroom, with the National Union of Journalists raising the prospect of a ballot for industrial action.
A FORMAL industrial dispute has been avoided at BBC Scotland after the head of news and current affairs stepped down following a row over the handling of grievance and bullying allegations.
John Boothman is leaving his position to work on the corporation’s charter renewal bid.
The move comes three days after union leaders met BBC management over their concerns over treat- ment of staff in the Scottish newsroom. The National Union of Journalists raised the prospect of a ballot of union members for industrial action, such as a work to rule, if the BBC was unable to reassure staff that significant action was being taken, including moving Mr Boothman from his current post.
The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) say there is now no need to consider industrial action over the row.
Unions’ concerns came to a head after Zoe MacDonald, the daughter of one of Scotland’s most famous politicians, the late Margo MacDonald, was understood to have successfully made a complaint against Mr Boothman.
The row dates back to February when Mr Boothman and a human resources executive were taped making a series of offensive comments about camerawoman Ms MacDonald.
Mr Boothman and the executive had believed they were having a private conversation in a broadcasting gallery but did not realise that microphones were on and they could be heard.
Union officials say the incidents highlighted their concerns about treatment of newsroom staff going back over two years.
Confirmation of Mr Boothman’s departure was made in an email to staff on Tuesday. Mr Boothman will be replaced by interim head Peter MacRae. Mr Boothman is to join a team working on Scotland’s proposals for the corporation’s royal charter review next year, which will set out the future of the £145.50-a-year licence fee.
In an email to staff, BBC Scotland Director Ken MacQuarrie said Mr Boothman will play a “key role focusing on service development for Scotland including our news offer for audiences for the new Charter period”.
Ms MacDonald is said to have been off work with long-term stress. Her grievance was upheld in early May and Mr Boothman made a “fulsome” apology to Ms MacDonald for the incident.
The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU), the National Union of Journalists and Unite raised concerns about conditions dating back to 2012 when BBC Scotland went through a selection process for redundancies.
Since then BECTU sources say there was concerns initially about pressure at work that developed into issues of bullying and aggressive management.
A BBC spokesman said: “We don’t accept that there is a culture of bullying. We will continue to work with our staff to ensure they feel motivated and valued.”