BBC refuses to comment on Stephen Nolan allegations

Stephen Nolan. Pic PA
BBC presenter Stephen Nolan is the broadcaster's fifth highest paid presenter. Credit: PA Media

The BBC has refused to comment on allegations made about one of its highest paid presenters, Stephen Nolan.

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A number of claims were made about Mr Nolan in The Irish News on Tuesday, including that he had sent a sexually explicit image of a public figure to another member of staff.

Mr Nolan is the fifth-highest paid talent with the BBC, earning between £400,000–£404,999.

Since the claims emerged he has continued to present his BBC Radio Ulster programme as usual making no mention of the allegations.

As well as the five-day-a-week Radio Ulster programme, he also presents a Radio 5 Live show at the weekends and fronts a number of television shows for BBC Northern Ireland.

The Irish News also said that a former member of staff had made a claim of bullying and harassment against Nolan which was not upheld, and that messages between team members on programmes associated with the star presenter included abusive remarks about politicians.

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In a statement, BBC Northern Ireland’s director Adam Smyth said: “There are important considerations of fairness and confidentiality involved in the handling of any workplace-related complaint.

“We take these obligations seriously – and in the interests of everyone involved.

“It is for these reasons that we cannot comment on the specifics of any individual case, who/what it may have involved or its outcome.”

BBC News NI said Mr Nolan refused to comment on the matter when asked through the organisation’s press office.

A DUP MP said the reporting had highlighted “significant multi-layered issues” that deserve a 'full response' from the BBC.

Gregory Campbell said: “This ultimately is an issue of how public money is used in Northern Ireland and it deserves the same level of scrutiny and questioning, both from the BBC and other sections of the media.”

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