Downing Street have slammed Gregg Wallace’s recent statement.
The 60-year-old presenter posted a video on social media to challenge the claims made against him. Wallace claimed they came from “middle class women of a certain age,” which Downing Street has branded “inappropriate and misogynistic”.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said: “As we said last week these allegations are obviously deeply concerning.”
READ MORE: Gregg Wallace steps down as MasterChef host amid complaints investigation
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“It is right that a thorough investigation is conducted. Obviously that’s for the BBC and the production company. But I would add the Culture Secretary spoke with the BBC leadership at the end of last week on this matter and wider workplace culture issues to seek assurances there are robust processes in place to deal with complaints.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The spokesperson continued: “Clearly the comments that we’ve seen from the individual over the weekend were completely inappropriate, misogynistic.”
“More broadly as you know the BBC is conducting an independent review into workplace culture, which must deliver clear and timely recommendations. It’s essential for staff and the wider public to have confidence that the BBC takes this issue seriously.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Gregg has been accused of making inappropriate sexual comment over a 17 year period by 13 people. He denied the allegations in a statement issued by his legal representatives and released a video message on Sunday [1 December].
In the clip, Wallace addressed the camera and said: “I’ve been doing MasterChef for 20 years, amateur, celebrity and professional MasterChef, and I think, in that time, I have worked with over 4,000 contestants of all different ages, all different backgrounds, all walks of life.”
(Image: @greggawallace/Instagram)
“Apparently now, I’m reading in the paper, there’s been 13 complaints in that time. I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age, just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn’t right.”
“In 20 years, over 20 years of television, can you imagine how many women, female contestants on MasterChef, have made sexual remarks, or sexual innuendo? Can you imagine?”
Gregg has stepped away from his MasterChef presenting role while Banijay UK investigate the complaints.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
