Top barrister issues harsh warning to Gregg Wallace amid growing misconduct claims

One of the country’s top legal figures has warned Gregg Wallace not to dismiss the growing number of women accusing him of inappropriate behaviour.

Baroness Helena Kennedy, a senior barrister and chair of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, told Newsnight that Gregg Wallace risks damaging his reputation further if he claims the women are making up their stories. “There may be an opportunity for you to make a comeback at some point,” she said, “but don’t say that all of these women have made this stuff up and don’t say that it’s all invented.”

Her comments follow news that another 50 people have contacted the BBC with fresh claims about Wallace. Many of them allege he made inappropriate sexual comments. Some also describe physical behaviour they say left them feeling disgusted, humiliated or afraid. Wallace has denied the allegations.

He was recently fired from MasterChef following an investigation by a law firm hired by the show’s production company, Banijay UK. Wallace has said the inquiry cleared him of what he called “the most serious and sensational allegations.”

Baroness Kennedy said Wallace had been seen by the public as a cheeky chappy on screen but they had not seen his “uglier side”. She also criticised industry bosses for not acting sooner. She said managers had a duty to challenge poor behaviour as soon as it became known.

Union leader says freelancers fear speaking out

Gregg Wallace via Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Wallace also faced criticism fire from Philippa Childs, head of the broadcast union Bectu. She warned that Wallace’s public statements “has really gaslighted people who have legitimate complaints unfortunately”.

Most Read

We finally know why that little girl fell off the Disney cruise ship, and it’s so bad

Even MORE tweets from Helena before Love Island 2025 resurface, and they’re bad

Lily Phillips shows grim aftermath of sleeping with 1,113 men in a day in horrid videos

Speaking on BBC Radio 4, she said his Instagram post had triggered alarm among freelancers, even among those not directly involved. She added that some feared the allegations would once again be “brushed under the carpet”.

Childs said Bectu had also received new complaints about Wallace. She described a culture of fear among freelancers, many of whom worry that speaking up could cost them work.

Several of the new allegations date back years and describe encounters in studios, dressing rooms and even nightclubs. Many women say Wallace made comments about their bodies. Others allege more serious behaviour, including groping and exposing himself. Some men also contacted the BBC to say they witnessed inappropriate remarks.

Wallace issued a lengthy statement on Instagram yesterday, defending his conduct and criticising the BBC’s coverage. The broadcaster has said it will not comment until the investigation report is released.

For more like this, like The Tab on Facebook. Featured image via Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock.