Lisa Nandy says she's prepared to take on 'cultures of silence' after Gregg Wallace allegations

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she is prepared to take action if "cultures of silence and issues being swept under the rug" are not addressed by the media industry, following misconduct claims against TV presenter, Gregg Wallace.

At the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Tuesday, Ms Nandy made reference to the recent allegations of inappropriate behaviour by MasterChef host and failure of complaint procedures.

She said: “Having spoken with the BBC in recent weeks about the Gregg Wallace allegations, I am really clear that we’re seeing too many of these cultures of silence and issues being swept under the rug.

“People who cannot advance through the current complaints system because it would have an impact on their career, potentially ending their career.

“And I am clear that people need to be heard, action has to be taken and perpetrators have to be held to account.”

"We're seeing too many of these cultures of silence and issues being swept under the rug."

The Culture Secretary said she will be meeting with the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, an independent body tackling bullying and harassment in the sector, on Wednesday.

She added: “They think, and I instinctively think, that it is better if the industry grips this, but if they don’t I will be prepared to take further action.”

Last week Wallace apologised for claiming his accusers were "a handful of middle-class women of a certain age", adding he will “take some time out”.

His lawyers previously strongly denied “he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, according to BBC News.

Wallace has since stepped back from hosting MasterChef as production company Banijay UK investigates allegations of misconduct which the BBC said they would be supporting.

The BBC also previously said it would not “tolerate behaviour that falls below the standards we expect” and stressed the importance of fostering "a culture that is kind, inclusive and respectful”.

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