THE BBC has apologised for the way it handled a journalist's complaint of sexual harrassment following an inquest into his death. A packed Leamington Justice Centre heard on Friday (July 5) how former Coventry and Warwickshire reporter Russell Joslin took his own life in October last year.
The court was told how Mr Joslin, who lived in Kenilworth, had been subject to 'unwanted advances' from a female colleague back in 2006 but had become increasingly upset following the colleague's decision to speak out in the national media about the Jimmy Savile scandal. During the inquest, the BBC came under fire for failing to properly handle records of the complaints, which Mr Joslin believed were part of a 'cover up' by the corporation.
The court heard Mr Joslin had originally mentioned his concerns during a conversation with an assistant editor in Stratford, who recommended he seek counselling. He went on to discuss the matter with Occupation Health experts in March last year but was subsequently told by BBC HR bosses there was no record of his allegations.
The 50-year-old was then admitted to St Michael's Hospital in Warwick after he threw himself under a bus in Kenilworth. During his stay Mr Joslin had been diagnosed with psychosis and paranoia but despite the previous attempt on his life, mental health nurse Claire Lennox told the court she had deemed Mr Joslin to be' low risk' – meaning he required only 15 minute staff checks as opposed to constant supervision.
She claimed his eye-contact and body language led her to believe he was being genuine when he told her he had no further intention of harming himself. But just three days later Mr Joslin died from asphyxiation in Warwick Hospital after swallowing a shower cap while alone in his room. Recording the verdict he took his own life, coroner Louise Hunt said 'multiple factors' had contributed to Mr Joslin's suicide.
She said: "We know from medical evidence Russell was paranoid. He had had a lack of sleep, there was a lack of career progression and he was frustrated with the situation with the colleague.
"I don't think any one of those factors can be split out – in my view they were all relevant and interplayed together."
Since his death, Mr Joslin's family have been assisting the BBC in overseeing UK-wide changes to the way the broadcaster responds to staff concerns relating to stress, bullying and harassment claims.
And shortly after the inquest, the broadcaster issued a statement reiterating its desire to learn from Mr Joslin's death.
It said: "Russell Joslin was a respected and much-loved member of the team at Radio Coventry and Warwickshire who is greatly missed.
"We have made progress but would like to reassure Russell’s family we remain absolutely committed to implementing improvements.
"These include a confidential bullying and harassment helpline, a review of all employee support services, improved training for managers in bullying, harassment and mental health and a review of Occupational Health services."
साभार- Leamington Observer
