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ITV has asked a barrister to carry out an external review of Phillip Schofield’s departure from This Morning.

The development was announced by the broadcaster’s chief executive, Dame Carolyn McCall, in a letter to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, chair of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, and the Ofcom chief executive, Dame Melanie Dawes.

Here are key extracts:

“You will have seen the significant media coverage concerning Phillip Schofield.

“As you would expect we take the matter extremely seriously and have reviewed our own records over the weekend.

“These show that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in late 2019/early 2020 ITV investigated.

“Both parties were questioned then and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours, as did Phillip’s then agency, YMU.

“In addition, ITV spoke to a number of people who worked on the This Morning and wider Daytime team and were not provided with, and did not find any evidence of, a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour.

“Given the ongoing rumours, we continued to ask questions of both parties, who both continued to deny the rumours, including as recently as this month.”

Read more:
Phillip Schofield dropped as ambassador for The Prince’s Trust
Eamonn Holmes claims there was ‘total cover-up’ over Schofield’s affair
A timeline of the This Morning controversy

The letter goes on to say ITV offered “support” to the man who Phillip Schofield said he had an affair with.

“As you would imagine, given the social media scrutiny of him, we have offered him our support throughout this period and indeed are still doing so.

“The employee has made it clear that he does not wish to be named or identified in connection with this matter.

“We would be grateful if you would be mindful of this.

“The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust.

“Phillip made assurances to us and his agency which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down.

“We consider our approach was reasonable and proportionate at the time and in the circumstances.

“We believe that we did not have any grounds to mount any other sort of investigation.”

Dr Ranj with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on This Morning in 2020 Pic: ITV/Shutterstock
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Dr Ranj Singh with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on This Morning in 2020 Pic: ITV/Shutterstock

The letter also refers to wider claims about This Morning, including allegations of a “toxic culture” by Dr Ranj Singh, a former presenter on the show, saying: “We were sorry to read his statement.

“We are fully committed to providing every opportunity for anyone who works with us to raise any concern or comments they may have.

“Following a complaint made by Dr Ranj, we appointed an external and independent adviser to carry out a review.

“This external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination.

“I want to reassure you that as a producer and broadcaster, ITV takes its responsibilities around duty of care and speaking up seriously and has robust and well-established processes in place which allow anyone who works with us to raise concerns they may have anonymously.

“The confidential reporting number and other ways of raising concerns are promoted via a number of channels, which includes ITV’s internal staff website, across ITV buildings and how to speak up is part of ITV’s code of ethics and conduct annual mandatory training for all staff.

“We have now instructed Jane Mulcahy KC (Blackstone Chambers) to carry out an external review to establish the facts.

“She will review our records and talk to people involved.

“This work will also consider our relevant processes and policies and whether we need to change or strengthen any.

“Given Phillip’s admission of the extent of his deception the work will extend to cover any related issues that may emerge.

“This work will be carried out as quickly as possible and we will be happy to share the outcome.”

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Parents of boy whose outbursts left them fearing for their lives say Adolescence ‘touched a nerve’

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Parents of boy whose outbursts left them fearing for their lives say Adolescence 'touched a nerve'

A teenager suddenly becomes violent, his anger towards women fuelled by online influencers, while his parents struggle to process what their son is capable of.

Does this sound familiar?

It’s the story of the hit drama Adolescence – but for Jess and Rob, it’s their life.

Their 14-year-old son Harry’s violence has escalated so rapidly he’s had to be taken into care. We’ve changed all their names to protect their identities.

Until the age of 12, Harry’s parents say he was a “wonderful” son. But they saw a change in his personality, which they believe was sparked by an incident when he was hit by a girl. Soon, he developed an online interest in masculine power and control.

Becky Johnson Adolescence  feature
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Harry’s personality changed after he was assaulted (this image shows an actor in a Sky News reconstruction)

“Harry became obsessed with being strong, and I think he developed a difficulty around certain female people because of the assault,” Jess says.

“He had to be in charge… in every setting,” Rob adds.

Then one night, he punched his mother, Jess. His parents called the police in the hope it would shock him out of doing it again. But, as time went on, the violence escalated.

“We probably must have called the police over 100 times,” Rob says.

One attack was so serious, Jess ended up in hospital. The violence spilled outside the home too as Harry assaulted neighbours and friends.

Then he threatened to stab a teacher.

“Every time we think it can’t get any worse, something else happens and it does get worse,” Rob says. “Unfortunately, him getting hold of a knife is quite likely to happen.”

They say Adolescence, which stars Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters and Owen Cooper, touched a nerve.

Becky Johnson Adolescence  feature
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Jess and Rob say they called the police 100 times (this image shows actors in a Sky News reconstruction)

“My worst fear is that he’s going to end up killing one of us,” says Jess. “If not us, then somebody else…”

It’s a shocking thought for any parent to have. As well as contacting police, the family have tried many times to get help from social services and the NHS for Harry’s deteriorating mental health.

“We’ve been told that we’re using too many resources and accessing too many services,” Rob says. “We tried for 18 months to get him more intensive therapeutic help. At every turn it was ‘no, no, no’.”

Read more:
Starmer backs campaign to show Adolescence in schools
Inside the online gangs where boys compete to be cruel

They have found help with an organisation called PEGS that supports parents who are victims of their own children’s violence.

Becky Johnson Adolescence  feature
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PEGS founder Michelle John says many families struggle to have their concerns taken seriously

Last year it was contacted by over 3,500 families, a 70% increase on 2023. Founder Michelle John says many families struggle to have their concerns taken seriously.

“What we’re hearing time and time again is that referrals are not being picked up because thresholds aren’t being met and perhaps the parent or caregiver isn’t a risk to the child,” she says. “Families are falling through gaps.”

In some parts of the country, local organisations are attempting to fill those gaps. Bright Star Boxing Academy in Shropshire has children referred by schools, social workers and even the police.

Joe Lockley, who runs the academy, says the problem is services that deal with youth violence are “inundated”.

“The biggest cause of the violent behaviour is mental health,” he says. “They lack that sense of belonging and control, and it’s quite easy to gain that from the wrong crowd and getting involved in violence.

“Social media is having a huge impact, especially around that young person’s identity.”

Becky Johnson Adolescence  feature
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Ethan at the Bright Star Boxing Academy

Ethan, 18, agrees. He joined the academy aged 14. By then he had already been arrested several times for getting into fights.

He believes bullying sparked anxiety and depression. “Someone could look at me, I’d be angry,” he says.

“Social media – that’s definitely a massive part. You’ve got so many people that are living this material life. They’ve got loads of money.

“My main thing was seeing people with amazing bodies – I felt I couldn’t reach that point and it made me self-conscious, which would add on to the anger which then turned to hatred towards other people.”

Becky Johnson Adolescence  feature
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Ethan says boxing has helped him turn his life around

Without the support of the boxing academy, he believes, he wouldn’t have been able to turn his life around.

“I would either be in prison or I would have done something a lot worse to myself,” he says.

“It’s just this massive mess in your head where you’ve got a million thoughts at once – you don’t know what to think or how to even speak sometimes,” he adds.

“All we need is someone that’s got the time for us… and the understanding that it’s a war in our heads.”

A government spokesperson told Sky News: “We have seen too many preventable tragedies caused by the failings of mental health services, and it’s unacceptable that young people have not been getting the care and treatment they need to keep them, their families and the wider public safe.

“We are working to ensure children and their families get that help. We are investing over £50m to fund specialist support in schools, launching a Young Futures hub in every community, and providing access to a specialist mental health professional in every school in England.”

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK

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Plastic surgeon Peter Brooks found guilty of attempting to murder colleague

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Plastic surgeon Peter Brooks found guilty of attempting to murder colleague

A plastic surgeon has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a fellow doctor who he stabbed after a failed attempt to set his house on fire.

Peter Brooks had cycled to the home of Graeme Perks in Halam, near Southwell, Nottinghamshire, while wearing camouflage gear and armed with a crowbar, petrol, matches and a knife in the early hours of 14 January 2021.

The 61-year-old then doused the ground floor of the property with petrol before stabbing fellow plastic surgeon Mr Perks because he wanted him “out of the way”, his trial at Loughborough Courthouse heard.

The victim’s wife and children were sleeping at the time of the attack, the jury was told.

Mr Perks, a consultant plastic surgeon, had provided evidence in disciplinary proceedings against Brooks, who faced potentially losing his job with Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, the jury was told.

Brooks was “voluntarily absent” from his month-long trial because he was on hunger strike and said he would “rather be dead than incarcerated”, it can now be reported.

He also sacked his lawyers before the trial and was unrepresented in the case.

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Graeme Perks is fighting for his life in hospital. Pic: BAPRAS
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Graeme Perks is fighting for his life in hospital. Pic: BAPRAS

When opening the prosecution’s case, Tracy Ayling KC had told the jury it was “clear that the defendant hated Graeme Perks” and wanted him “out of the way”.

Mr Perks, who was 65 at the time, had retired the month before the attack and suffered “extremely life-threatening” injuries to his liver, intestines and pancreas, and was given a 95% chance of death, the court was told.

He had woken up on the night of the attack when Brooks smashed through his conservatory, the jury heard.

The camouflage suit worn by Peter Brooks during the attack. Pic Nottinghamshire Police
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The camouflage suit worn by Peter Brooks during the attack. Pic Nottinghamshire Police

Mr Perks then went downstairs where his feet “felt a bit damp” from the petrol, which Brooks had also thrown against the wall next to the stairs, before he felt a “blow to his body”, the court was told.

Brooks was later found asleep on a garden bench later that morning when he was taken to hospital for injuries to his hand, and was arrested.

His blood was found on a door at the scene of the attack.

Brooks has been convicted of two counts of attempted murder, attempted arson with intent to endanger life, and possession of a knife in a public place.

Jurors deliberated for more than 12 hours before finding Brooks guilty of all the charges against him.

Retired surgeon Graeme Perks leaving Loughborough Magistrates' Court.
Pic: PA
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Graeme Perks leaves court in Loughborough after giving evidence.
Pic: PA

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Two-phase public inquiry into Southport murders formally launched

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Two-phase public inquiry into Southport murders formally launched

A two-phase statutory public inquiry into the Southport murders has been formally launched.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the first phase would look at the circumstances around Axel Rudakubana’s attack on a Taylor Swift-themed dance class last summer.

It will focus on issues around policing, the criminal justice system and the multiple agencies involved with the attacker who killed three girls – seven-year-old Elsie Stancombe, six-year-old Bebe King and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine.

It follows the revelation Rudakubana had been referred to the government’s Prevent scheme on three occasions, with the cases being closed each time.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

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You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

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