BBC Breakfast editor Richard Frediani has been cleared of wrongdoing after an internal review into allegations of bullying and misconduct, according to people familiar with the inquiry.
Frediani, who had taken an extended period of leave while the review was carried out, was told by senior managers last week that a full probe into his conduct was not expected, sources said. The review involved about 70 sessions and a wider "listening exercise" with staff as part of a broader examination of workplace culture on the flagship morning programme, those close to the process said.
People involved in the discussions said Frediani has returned to work and will continue in his roles overseeing BBC Breakfast and News at One. Support for him among some colleagues was reported, although other staff remain critical and loyalties were described as divided.
Relations between Frediani and some on-screen talent, however, were said to have been damaged. Several accounts published in tabloid outlets described presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt as angry at the decision to clear Frediani, and said he no longer briefs them directly. A person familiar with operations at the show said another staff member now communicates with those presenters on talkback from the gallery, a change that staff described as reflecting "sour" working relationships.
BBC management opened the review into conduct on BBC Breakfast earlier this year as part of an organisation-wide effort to assess workplace culture, according to internal messages and people familiar with the process. John McAndrew, BBC News director of programmes, told staff in a note that "key themes" had emerged from the exercise and asked for patience while the corporation considered next steps.
Munchetty has been placed under review separately, according to media reports, as senior editors consider whether complaints about her behaviour require a formal investigation. The complaints include accounts that she had confronted or humiliated junior colleagues. One former colleague told a national newspaper that an intern was left upset after preparing porridge in a way Munchetty did not like. The colleague said the intern returned the porridge to the set and later discarded it. Those descriptions were reported by the Daily Mail and other outlets.
The broadcaster has previously spoken to Munchetty about an off-air remark made on Radio 5 Live in 2022, which taken with other complaints prompted managers to review whether further action was needed, media reports said. Some colleagues have defended Munchetty as "incredibly hard working" and said she is direct in manner, remarks that sources said some staff find demanding while others accept.
BBC spokespeople declined to comment on individual personnel matters but reiterated that the corporation takes complaints about conduct at work "extremely seriously" and has processes for dealing with them. A spokesperson said the BBC would encourage staff with concerns to raise them so they can be addressed.
The internal review of BBC Breakfast formed part of a period of scrutiny across BBC news output of working practices and behaviour. The editor returned to his duties after the review concluded, and the corporation is reported to be weighing whether any further, separate investigations are required in relation to other individuals. The outcome leaves open questions about the future of presenters who said they were unhappy with management decisions, and the BBC has not announced any personnel changes.
Reporting on the story has drawn on accounts provided to national newspapers and people familiar with the review. The BBC said it would not comment on individual HR matters while inquiries and internal processes continue.