ITV defends conduct after Caroline Flack’s mum says she’s worried for Phillip Schofield

ITV has said it takes its duty of care responsibilities “seriously”, after Caroline Flack’s mother publicly expressed concern for Phillip Schofield following his dramatic exit from This Morning.

The former presenter resigned from the broadcaster last week, after admitting he had lied to bosses about an affair with a male colleague in his early 20s while at the daytime programme.

In his interview with the BBC’s Amol Rajan on Friday, Mr Schofield described the unrelenting social media and press scrutiny he has received, saying he is struggling with his mental health and suicidal thoughts. He said his daughters “guarded me, and won’t let me out of their sight, adding: “If my daughters hadn’t been there, then I wouldn’t be here.”

He also spoke about the late Love Island presenter Caroline Flack, mentioning the discussion about her assault charge in the weeks leading up to her suicide.

Caroline Flack’s mother Christine appeared on Newsnight following Mr Schofield’s interview, where she expressed “worry” for him and criticised ITV’s handling of staff issues.

Speaking to presenter Victoria Derbyshire, she said: “They haven’t learned anything. They haven’t.

“They treat them as commodities. I know it’s a lovely job and they earn money. But also the television stations earn money from them.

“But they’re not commodities, they’re people. And they’re employed. And if my employer didn’t take care of me, there’d be all hell to pay. And there’s not. They’re just sidelined, and they’re not protected.

“They could have someone speaking for him really, whether he did right or wrong. And even his agent, and all his friends. It’s not a good look really.”

She added that Mr Schofield is “trying to put things straight”.

“But I don’t think it will end there. I hope he’s done the right thing. I hope he feels better. I hope people now will let it settle. He’s lost his job, he’s lost his world. I think that’s enough. I think that’s enough for anybody”.

Following her appearance, ITV issued a fresh statement that said: “The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust. Phillip made assurances to us and his agency which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down.

“As a producer and broadcaster, ITV takes its responsibilities around Duty of Care seriously and has robust and well-established processes in place to support the mental and physical health of employees and all those we work with.”

ITV’s chief executive Carolyn McCall has been called to a parliamentary committee on 14 June to answer questions about the company’s handling of the incident. ITV has also ordered an independent barrister-led review.

After initially stating that Mr Schofield would remain with the channel to host the British Soap Awards and present another primetime show, the presenter is now no longer employed at the channel and his former agency has cut ties.