There is nervousness among top brass at the Guardian and its sister paper the Observer, as an investigation into claims of sexual impropriety against leading columnist Nick Cohen widens to examine how the holier-than-thou titles have dealt with these and other staff complaints over several years.
Four or five years ago, a group of 30 to 40 female journalists demanded a meeting with the editor-in-chief, Kath Viner, to complain of a culture of misogyny and sexist bullying within the newsroom. Held in the prestigious Scott Room, it was anticipated to be a turning point in what was seen as a rotten culture, one Viner had promised to redress as she campaigned for election to the top job.
A source told Mandrake: “It was a very intense meeting and hopes were high that things would change as a consequence. But nothing concrete happened. The Guardian’s primary concern is to protect its image. Maybe words were had with a few individuals, but for such a serious showdown to result in absolutely zero official response was something many staff found abysmal.
“Many have since left the Guardian and Observer with a bitter taste in their mouths. If this was the Sun or the Mail, you can bet the Guardian would be all over the story like a rash. There is a great sense of disappointment that the organisation has not behaved better.”