BBC Trust boss Lord Patten steps in over inquiry into 'suicide' of BBC ... - Coventry Telegraph

BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten is backing the family of Kenilworth journalist Russell Joslin – insisting any inquiry into bullying allegations before his death must be "appropriately independent".

Former colleagues of Mr Joslin, who worked for BBC Coventry & Warwickshire, have also called for an independent inquiry.

It comes during an ongoing BBC-commissioned inquiry overseen by independent HR professional Lesley Granger – who worked for the BBC for a decade until 2008 – and concerns that staff feel they could risk their jobs by giving evidence. Mr Joslin, aged 50, is believed to have committed suicide at St Michael's psychiatric hospital, in Warwick, last month, three days after stepping in front of a bus in Kenilworth.

Texts on his phone showed his torment at the way BBC managers had responded to his allegations of bullying, sexual harassment by a former female colleague, and feeling sidelined.

Now Lord Patten, who heads the BBC Trust, which is charged with holding BBC executive management to account, has replied to a letter from justice minister and Kenilworth MP Jeremy Wright, one of seven MPs backing family demands for an independent inquiry.

Mr Patten's letter states: "The trust recognises that it is vital that in circumstances such as these, the BBC takes appropriate action to investigate fully the events surrounding Mr Joslin's complaints.

"It is right for such an investigation to be commissioned initially by the BBC executive, and the trust agrees that the executive must take the steps necessary to ensure the inquiry is appropriately independent and that staff can have confidence in the arrangements made for providing evidence to it."

Lord Patten has instructed BBC HR director Lucy Adams to explain to Mr Wright in more detail what approach BBC managers have taken with the Granger inquiry. His letter continues: "The trust will of course taken a keen interest in the outcome of any investigations into these tragic events and will want assurances not only that the investigation is thorough and has adequate access to relevant evidence, but also that the executive takes any appropriate action once the review's conclusions are known."

Lord Patten also welcomed a pledge by BBC managers to make its inquiry findings public.

Meanwhile, a copy of the letter was sent by culture secretary Maria Miller to Coventry South MP Jim Cunningham. She added the government should not intervene as the BBC is "operationally independent".

But she told Mr Cunningham she was writing to Lord Patten, to ensure he is aware of the MP's concern, and "the importance that you attach to the independence of this inquiry".