Hundreds of BBC Staff Indulged in Drug Abuse and Bullying

In the last five years hundreds of BBC staff have been disciplined for breaking rules, after indulging in alcohol and drug abuse and bullying. The Daily Mail quoted the record as saying that a total of 410 disciplinary procedures were taken by the corporation since April 2006, with 11 employees rebuked for drug abuse, believed to be cocaine, and alcohol dependency.

Besides, 14 were found to have breached anti-bullying rules, while 19 had stolen from the corporation. Sixteen employees were cautioned for turning up to work late, while 56 failed to arrive at all.

Two were ordered into rehab, 50 were sacked, 12 resigned and 255 were given either verbal or written warnings, the paper said.

The revelations came after a Freedom of Information request was sent to the BBC by a Sunday newspaper.

It emerged exactly 18 months after the mother of former BBC children's television presenter Natasha Collins, who died after a drink and drug overdose, warned of a 'huge cocaine culture' at the corporation.

The 31-year-old TV presenter died in January 2008 after taking cocaine above limit at a party with her fianc?, fellow TV presenter Mark Speight. Three months later, 42-year-old Speight hanged himself.

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Her mother, Carmen Collins meanwhile suggested that employees should be subjected to random drug testing.

Source-ANI