MPs ‘to question ITV’ over Phillip Schofield’s affair with younger colleague

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MPs are reportedly planning on questioning ITV executives over This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield’s affair with a younger male colleague.

It came as the Prince’s Trust said it had dropped Schofield as an ambassador. “In light of Phillip’s recent admissions, we have agreed with him that it is no longer appropriate to work together,” a spokesperson for the charity said on Tuesday.

The Telegraph said that members of the House of Commons culture, media and sport select committee will use next week’s televised session to question executives on their handling of the issue after ITV said it had investigated “rumours of a relationship” between Schofield and the employee as early as 2020.

At the time, the affair was “categorically and repeatedly denied” by both parties, ITV said in a statement.

Schofield left ITV on Friday and has admitted to lying over what he said was an “unwise, but not illegal” affair which took place while he was still married to his wife, Stephanie Lowe. He has also been dropped by his talent agency.

Former This Morning resident doctor Dr Ranj Singh has also since come out saying that This Morning had a “toxic” culture mired in bullying and discrimination, and that the show’s problems went “far beyond” Schofield.

“I genuinely loved and valued working there. However, over time, I grew increasingly worried about how things were behind the scenes and how people, including myself, were being treated,” Singh said.

“I didn’t know the truth about what was going on with Phillip, but I do know the issues with TM [This Morning] go far beyond him. It takes more than one person to create a culture.”

Schofield responded with a statement on Instagram that “there was no toxicity” in his two decades as host of the show, and appeared to blame his departure on “the same handful of people with a grudge”.

Tuesday’s session of the House of Commons digital, culture, media and sport select committee was meant to discuss the draft media bill, with Channel 4 and Channel 5 executives expected to appear alongside ITV.

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ITV had been planning to send Magnus Brooke, who was appointed to a new role of group director of strategy, policy and regulation at ITV last October, the Telegraph said. But given the questions which will be asked by MPs about Schofield, ITV is possibly considering sending a more senior executive.

MPs could order a full inquiry if ITV does not provide acceptable answers.