Channel 4’s Alex Mahon denies there is a ‘toxic culture’ at the station during committee hearing – after ex-staff complained about work environment when woman ‘signed gagging order over racial discrimination’ 

• READ MORE:  Channel 4 ‘is toxic place to work’: Former staff speak out

Channel 4’s Alex Mahon has denied there is a ‘toxic culture’ at the station after former staff complained about the working environment. 

Ms Mahon, the network’s chief executive, answered questions from MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee today who grilled the TV company on issues such as safeguarding in the workplace. 

When asked whether future programmes for the channel will have a ‘toxic culture’, Ms Mahon said: ‘I don’t think any programmes that have been commissioned for C4 have been described as having a toxic culture. 

‘I realise that description has been used to describe other broadcasters’ programmes.’ 

It comes after Channel 4 was accused of having a ‘toxic’ working environment – with one ex-employee claiming she was made to sign a gagging order after complaining about racial discrimination.

Channel 4’s Alex Mahon (pictured) has denied there is a ‘toxic culture’ at the station after former staff complained about the working environment

Other ex-employees made similar claims after a woman said she was prevented from commenting on a grievance about the management regime. 

Ms Mahon said: ‘The only confidence one can really have is… do you try and create a culture where these things can be reported in?

‘You can never know. You can have the right procedures in place. You an try and be really open about people reporting in. You can keep surveying in and showing there’s an open line.’

She added: ‘The reality is you can have lots of programmes going on at any one time, and I’m not on set in them and neither are my staff.’

Ms Mahon, who was accompanied by Channel 4’s chairman Sir Ian Cheshire, was also asked whether the company ignored ‘clear warning signs’ when Russell Brand worked on the show in the early 2000s. 

Channel 4 was accused of having a ‘toxic’ working environment. Pictured: Channel 4’s HQ

Ms Mahon was accompanied by Channel 4’s chairman Sir Ian Cheshire

Channel 4 is thought to have helped drive Brand’s career in its early days and has since launched its own investigation into sexual assault and misconduct allegations against the actor. 

‘This year we put out a documentary called Russell Brand: In Plain Sight with appalling and deeply troubling allegations in it about programmes he worked on between 2004 to 2007 for Channel 4 and elsewhere at the BBC. 

‘I’m particularly proud that we did that programme and called it to account. 

‘I’m quite determined to understand the nature of what Channel 4 did or didn’t know. Obviously we’ve gone through a lot of management changes since then it was some time ago. 

‘Today we have a zero-tolerance approach and a number of facilities in place.’

She added: ‘I also understand it’s not very easy for people to come forward.’ 

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