BBC refuses to comment on Stephen Nolan allegations

The BBC has refused to comment on allegations made about star Northern Ireland presenter Stephen Nolan

A number of claims were made about 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.

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

He appeared on his BBC Radio Ulster programme as usual this morning, with no mention of the allegations.

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.

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 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.”