Serious questions need to be answered by the BBC after it was revealed Stephen Nolan sent sexually explicit images to colleagues, the north’s two largest political parties have said.
The unsolicited sending of the pictures was part of a wider complaint about the working environment at his radio and television shows.
Read more: Stephen Nolan apologises on air following revelations by Irish News
A Sinn Féin spokesman said: “The BBC is funded through a government sponsored licence fee. There is, therefore, a very clear and onerous responsibility on the BBC to deliver maximum value, transparency and accountability.
“Recent revelations relating to the Nolan show raise very serious questions for the BBC management which need to be answered candidly. “Audience figures and rating should never lead to the tolerance of bad practice or inappropriate behaviour by radio and TV presenters.
"The BBC and the Nolan show, in particular, must live up to the openness and accountability they routinely demand of others.”
Read more:
- BBC presenter Stephen Nolan sent unsolicited 'sexually explicit' images of disgraced reality TV star Stephen Bear to work colleagues
- Stephen Nolan back on air this morning after revelations he sent 'sexually explicit images' of later convicted sex offender
- Funds in Stephen Nolan's production company have increased considerably since 'appropriate action' was taken following complaint
Nolan Show
The revelations reported by The Irish News yesterday "deserve a full response from the BBC," DUP MP Gregory Campbell added.
“The scale and significance of the revelations printed today, were they related to any other area of life in Northern Ireland, would undoubtedly be headline news across the BBC," Mr Campbell said.
"‘Radio silence’ just won’t cut it however in this instance. There are significant multi-layered issues that have been highlighted and all of which deserve a full response from the BBC."
Mr Nolan sent two "sexually explicit images" of a later convicted sex offender to other BBC employees working on his radio and television shows.
- Call for BBCNI probe into claims Nolan Live staff were 'planted' in the audience
An investigation led to a case to be answered under the BBC's disciplinary policy, with the organisation stating "appropriate action" was taken.
In a statement, the director of BBC NI Adam Smyth said: "There are important considerations of fairness and confidentiality involved in the handling of any workplace related complaint."
Mr Smyth added: "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."
The images were of Stephen Bear, a reality television personality currently in prison following his conviction for "revenge porn" and voyeurism after he circulated footage of his former girlfriend engaged in sexual activity.
Multiple sources have spoken to the Irish News, which, along with documents, was also given access to internal correspondence among Nolan and his team.
The sources have come forward with details of hard-charging work conditions, the circulating of the inappropriate images of a naked person, and ways used to stir debate, many related to controversial political and social issues.
Read more:
- Stephen Nolan driven by growing up in the Shankill area as an only child
- Jamie Bryson response to questions on relationship with Stephen Nolan
- Former Sinn Féin MLA calls on BBC to reveal disparaging messages made by Stephen Nolan's team
At least one former member of Nolan's team made a formal complaint of bullying against him in connection with his radio show, which was not upheld following an investigation, largely as all other members of the "tight knit group" found the radio show "a very good one to work on".
However, two former staff members, neither of them in the group, received counselling for work-related stress. One was referred to a psychiatrist.
“The BBC is funded through a government sponsored licence fee. There is therefore a very clear and onerous responsibility on the BBC to deliver maximum value, transparency and accountability," a Sinn Fein spokesman said.
"Recent revelations relating to the Nolan show raise very serious questions for the BBC management which need to be answered candidly.
“Audience figures and rating should never lead to the tolerance of bad practice or inappropriate behaviour by radio and TV presenters. The BBC and the Nolan show, in particular, must live up to the openness and accountability they routinely demand of others.”
Mr Campbell, the DUP MP, said "many people will obviously question the culture which appears to be prevalent within the programme where its presenter has sent unwanted sexual images to staff members.
"With the Online Safety Bill set to include a new offence of 'cyberflashing' the public has a right to know whether this incident was treated with the level of seriousness it deserved by the BBC."
Mr Campbell has wider concerns over BBC NI's commissioning process. Nolan's company Third Street Studios had funds totalling £4m at end of March 2022, far greater than similar production companies. Previously, Nolan did not answer whether he has commissions from any broadcaster other than the BBC.
"We now learn that staff on a licence fee funded programme also worked extensively on another show co-produced by Mr Nolan’s private company," he said.
"Such an option isn’t available to programme makers without access to ‘the inside’. If any other public sector contract was being handled in this way there would be understandable outrage and such revelations deserve a proper response." Nolan Live is co-produced by Third Street.
"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," Mr Campbell said.
The Nolan revelations were carried on Tuesday by the Mail Online, one of the world's largest news websites.
BBC response
Questioned whether Nolan Live will return for a new season, the BBC said: "Our upcoming content will be announced in due course and in the usual way."
The Irish News revealed that among the Nolan team there was a high level of sexual innuendo and a dislike for other arms of BBC NI, particularly news, and some its staff.
Nolan himself refers to Talkback host William Crawley as a "devious c***". The newsroom more broadly was referred to in a similar way.
Abusive remarks about politicians are also shared while the messages shed further light on Nolan's relationship with the loyalist activist Jamie Bryson, who is referred to on numerous occasions, including in connection with banned bonfires.
The images were circulated as the Nolan team was being urged to book Stephen Bear to appear on Nolan Live.
"I want Bear!" Nolan wrote in one message, adding in another: "If I don't get Bear tomorrow night I'm sending more bear photos." The messages were sent as the team was trying to book the then recent Celebrity Big Brother winner on Nolan Live.
During the 2016 show, Bear stripped off as part of a segment on modelling. Both he and Nolan modelled in their underwear live on television. The footage remained on the BBC website up to publication. Bear last week was ordered to pay more than £200,000 in compensation to his victim, ex-girlfriend Georgia Harrison.
