This Morning’s editor has been blasted by an MP over his response to a journalist who doorstepped him.
Martin Frizell was today approached by Sky News and asked about allegations of a “toxic” work environment at the ITV show.
It comes amid the furore over Phillip Schofield’s departure from the channel and his admission of an affair with a younger colleague.
Asked if there is a “toxic” work environment at This Morning, Mr Frizell replied: “I’ll tell you what’s toxic and I’ve always found it toxic. Aubergine.
“Do you like aubergine? Do you? Do you like aubergine because I don’t like aubergine. It’s just a personal thing.”
READ MORE: ITV chief to be hauled before committee of MPs over Phillip Schofield affair row
SNP MP John Nicolson, a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, branded his response “deeply inappropriate and disrespectful”.
He said: “This is a deeply inappropriate and disrespectful way to respond to questions about safeguarding vulnerable staff and bullying in the workplace at ITV.”
It comes as the ITV show has been plagued by allegations of “toxicity” in the wake of Mr Schofield’s exit.
Former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes and the show’s ex-resident doctor Dr Ranj Singh have both separately made allegations about the culture behind the scenes at the programme.
On Saturday, Mr Frizell told a reporter to “read between the lines” amid claims of toxicity, adding: “I think there’s some scores being settled.”
ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall has been called to a parliamentary committee on June 14 to answer questions about the broadcaster’s approach to safeguarding and complaint handling following Mr Schofield’s exit.
She has confirmed she has instructed barrister Jane Mulcahy KC of Blackstone Chambers to carry out an external review of the facts amid questions over what bosses knew.
Schofield announced he was stepping down from This Morning last month following intense speculation about the state of his relationship with co-host Holly Willoughby.
The 61-year-old subsequently admitted to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a much younger male colleague and quit ITV. He was also dropped by his talent agency YMU.
The relationship took place while the veteran TV star was still married to wife Stephanie Lowe and before he came out publicly as gay.
