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Daily Mirror
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Naga Munchetty 'looking for new job and set to quit' BBC Breakfast after bullying row
BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty is reportedly in talks to join another station amid the programme's bullying row BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty has reportedly 'renewed talks' with a radio station away from the corporation amid a bullying row that has plagued the morning programme. Last month, it was revealed show boss Richard Frediani was on extended leave on the flagship show after complaints about his behaviour. Host Munchetty was also said to not get on with him. However, many staff members came out in defence of the editor. One even told the Mirror that some staff were disappointed with Munchetty who it's claimed raised concerns about Frediani's management style with BBC managers. And now, a source has claimed that the presenter 'loves the BBC' but is looking for a new job. Speaking to The Sun, they said: "Her team last week renewed talks with LBC. The Global Radio station would suit her as there's far less of the fluffy nonsense that's involved in working at the BBC.' The Mirror have reached out to Munchetty's reps for comment. Meanwhile, the BBC's annual salary was recently published and Munchetty was revealed to be earning almost double her co-host Charlie Stayt's pay. Stayt and Munchetty present BBC Breakfast from Thursday to Saturday morning, while Jon Kay and Sally Nugent take the helm from Monday to Wednesday. Stayt, aged 63, has stayed within the £190,000 salary band, whereas Munchetty, aged 50, has enjoyed a £10,000 increase to her earnings, moving from £345,000 to £355,000. Munchetty, who has presented on the flagship news programme since 2014, has always been paid more than Stayt. Her pay packet accounts for 180 days of presenting on BBC Breakfast, as well as her Radio 5 Live programme and election coverage. The BBC pay comes amid a bullying row concerning the BBC Breakfast editor. Some current and former staff of the programme jumped to his defence. One source told the Mirror: 'He is not a bully at all and the truth will come out. He's a great boss and was - and is still - overwhelmingly loved by the team, who respect his drive, expertise, and journalistic ambition. He has delivered great audiences and the first ever Bafta for breakfast TV. 'He can be brash and opinionated but works so hard for his team and allows people to flourish.' A second source said: 'Yes, he is old-school and can rub people up the wrong way but it's always in the pursuit of great television. It's the best-rating breakfast show in the country - it's not supposed to be a walk in the park. Some - Naga included - need to understand this. It feels like it's a case of presenter power turfing out a brilliant journalist.' Co-host Stayt is also said to have a strained relationship with Frediani.
The Irish Sun
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Naga Muchetty gets pay rise dwarfing co-host Charlie Stayt amid ‘bully' claims as BBC salaries revealed
BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty received a huge pay rise last year - despite being reprimanded by bosses over bullying allegations. Advertisement 12 Naga's salary is almost double that of her co-host Charlie Stayt 12 The presenter was reprimanded by bosses over two incidents in three years 12 Naga found herself at the centre of a toxicity row on the BBC Breakfast sofa Credit: Splash , received a 10k boost despite finding herself at the centre of a BBC Breakfast toxicity row earlier this year. Naga, who has presented on the flagship news programme since 2014, has always been paid more than Stayt. Her pay packet accounts for 180 days of presenting on the Breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live programme and election coverage. It comes as she was accused of hauled in by bosses over a sex jibe made at Radio 5 Live. Advertisement Read more in TV Key points in the BBC Annual Report Gary Lineker has topped the list of highest earners for another year BBC Breakfast star Meanwhile the number of people paying for a TV licence fell by around 300,000 last year - almost two per cent in all Scandal-hit boss Tim Davie was New MOTD host Mark Chapman's Tim Davies reveals Breakfast's editor Naga is said to have used a crude slang term for a sex act during an off-air break — before asking a colleague if they had done it. Most read in Showbiz The alleged remark stunned the Radio 5 Live studio and led to her being hauled before bosses. Advertisement She was reprimanded by a senior producer but no formal action was taken. The BBC Annual report - released today - revealed that Gary Lineker ended his time with the BBC by topping the Corporation's pay league for the eighth consecutive year. Its salary report showed the Top 10 earners at the BBC MOTD Star Gary Lineker retained his place as top earner for another year Gary Lineker - £1.35million Zoe Ball - £515,000 - cut from £950,000 Alan Shearer - £440,000 - up from £380,000 Greg James - £425,000 - up from £415,000 Fiona Bruce - £410,000 - up from £405,000 AND Nick Robinson - £410,000 - up from £345,000 Stephen Nolan - £405,000 Laura Kuenssberg - £395,000 - up from £325,000 Vernon Kay - £390,000 - up from £320,000 Justin Webb - £365,000 - up from £320,000 Naga Munchetty - £355,000 - up from £345,000 Radio 2 host Zoe Ball, 53, remained the Beeb's second-highest earner despite a significant pay cut when she left the breakfast show,. Advertisement She is now in the £515,000 - £519,999 grade, dropping from £950,000 to £954,999. Other top earners include Alan Shearer on £440k, Nearly 70 per cent of the BBC's top 20 earners received pay rises. One of the Beeb's former highest-earners, Huw Edwards, does not feature in 24/25's pay disclose list after he left in April 2024 amid an explicit image scandal. Advertisement The BBC has not escaped scandal this year, though. MasterChef's Gregg Wallace, was fired this week for inappropriate conduct. However neither would feature in the publicly-funded BBC's salary dossier, which discloses salaries above £178,000, because they are paid by external production firms or BBC Studios, the corporation's commercial arm. Advertisement Many big names, including Claudia Winkleman, Tess Daly, Graham Norton and Bradley Walsh do not feature for the same reason. 12 12 Lineker retained his spot as the Beeb's highest earner Credit: BBC 12 Despite taking a huge pay cut, Zoe Ball was once again the second-highest paid Credit: PA Advertisement It comes as under-fire Director General Tim Davie received a £15k pay hike despite systemic failure. He took home £540k. His pay boost comes just weeks after the BBC was forced to issue a grovelling apology for streaming Bob Vylan's "death to IDF" Glastonbury chant. Meanwhile the number of people paying for a TV licence fell by around 300,000 last year - almost two per cent in all. Some 23.8m licences are in force, down from 24.1m in 2023/2024. Advertisement Scandal-hit BBC boss Tim Davie gets pay RISE to £540k despite Gregg Wallace drama, Glasto coverage & Hamas doc scandal SCANDAL-HIT BBC boss Tim Davie has been given a sizeable pay rise to earn £544,999 a year. The broadcaster's annual report shows the Director-General's pay packet swelled by around £15,000 or 2.5% over the past 12 months - despite controversies including those involving Gregg Wallace, Bob Vylan and a Hamas documentary. The Beeb is required to publish the pay and expenses for all senior leaders earning over £178,000 annually "in the BBC's public services", according to its report. Davie - who took up his current role in 2020 - was paid an estimated £529,999 in salary and taxable benefits in 2023-24. Asked by The Sun why Davie had received a £15,000 bonus despite significant failures throughout the year, BBC's chair of the board Dr Samir Shah said: "His pay has been frozen since 2021 and I think that it is reasonable. "There is little doubt that Tim's pay is significantly under the (going rate). "If you look at the figures , trust levels have gone up - if you look at the report, the actual performance of the BBC has been exceptional." He added: "I have no problems with awarding him with what is a very small bonus - which still ends up [with] his salary being significantly lower than any of his peers in the sector." But because of a hike in cost to £169.50, the BBC says it gathered some £183m more from the fees. Despite the drop, it said the "vast majority of our audiences remained committed to paying the licence fee". It comes as The Sun revealed the Beeb asked John Torode to A Advertisement The dossier also upheld a complaint that an unnamed person used a racial phrase once several years ago. Torode confirmed to The Sun it referred to him, but said: 'I have absolutely no recollection of this, and I do not believe that it happened.' The BBC also told the MasterChef presenter to pretend he had mental health issues after accusing him of racism, it was claimed. The stunned Aussie, 59, was asked to resign over the weekend after being dragged into the Advertisement Shockingly, sources said the BBC and production company Banijay asked John to resign from the beleaguered show last week and claim he had mental health problems — to which he refused. 12 Tim Davie has received a substantial pay rise despite major scandals at the BBC Credit: Getty 12 The BBC asked John Torode to resign from MasterChef after an initial probe into his co-host Gregg Wallace Advertisement 12 The broadcaster was forced to issue a grovelling apology after streaming Bob Vylan's controversial Glastonbury performance In a farcical turn of events, the BBC was unable to specify the time or date of the allegation, narrowing it down to '2018 or 2019'. The Beeb admitted the future of Masterchef was hanging in the balance after the shocking revelations and probes into both hosts. A total of 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Gregg during his time on the show were substantiated, including one allegation of "unwelcome physical contact". Advertisement The corporation said the possibility of Gregg returning to MasterChef was "untenable". And they also issued a statement on the future of the new series of MasterChef, saying that, at this time, 'we are not going to make a final decision on the broadcast of the series that was filmed last year.' Earlier this month, the Beeb told how Bob Vylan were assessed as "high risk" before their performance at Glastonbury but were "deemed suitable for live streaming with appropriate mitigations". Chairman Samir Shah admitted that the decision to continue streaming the Advertisement Singer Bobby Vylan also shouted "from the river to the sea Palestine... will be free" - regarded by Jews as a call for Israel's elimination. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed The BBC later took down the broadcast on the iPlayer but was criticised for not cutting it off immediately after the anti-Semitic chanting, with the live feed continuing for another 40 minutes. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was among those who slammed the broadcaster and demanded an explanation for the decision to air the horrifying chant during the performance on the West Holts stage. Advertisement n a fresh statement earlier this month, the BBC said: "We fully understand the strength of feeling regarding "We deeply regret that such 12 MOTD star Alan Shearer was third highest on the salary list 12 Fiona Bruce also received a pay rise - landing her fourth on the list Advertisement 12 The BBC Annual Report was released today
Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Naga Muchetty gets pay rise dwarfing co-host Charlie Stayt amid ‘bully' claims as BBC salaries revealed
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty received a huge pay rise last year - despite being reprimanded by bosses over bullying allegations. The BBC's annual report revealed the under-fire presenter's new £355k salary is now almost double that of her co-host Charlie Styat, who has remained in the £190k bracket. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 12 Naga's salary is almost double that of her co-host Charlie Stayt 12 The presenter was reprimanded by bosses over two incidents in three years 12 Naga found herself at the centre of a toxicity row on the BBC Breakfast sofa Credit: Splash The star, 50, received a 10k boost despite finding herself at the centre of a BBC Breakfast toxicity row earlier this year. Naga, who has presented on the flagship news programme since 2014, has always been paid more than Stayt. Her pay packet accounts for 180 days of presenting on the Breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live programme and election coverage. It comes as she was accused of two bullying incidents in three years - including allegedly targeting a junior staffer - and was hauled in by bosses over a sex jibe made at Radio 5 Live. Key points in the BBC Annual Report Breakfast's editor Richard Frediani took leave amid separate bullying claims. Naga is said to have used a crude slang term for a sex act during an off-air break — before asking a colleague if they had done it. The alleged remark stunned the Radio 5 Live studio and led to her being hauled before bosses. She was reprimanded by a senior producer but no formal action was taken. The BBC Annual report - released today - revealed that Gary Lineker ended his time with the BBC by topping the Corporation's pay league for the eighth consecutive year. Its salary report showed the ex-Match of the Day host, 64, remained in the £1,350,000 to £1,354,999 bracket before he quit in May following a social media row over a pro-Palestinian video. Top 10 earners at the BBC MOTD Star Gary Lineker retained his place as top earner for another year Gary Lineker - £1.35million Zoe Ball - £515,000 - cut from £950,000 Alan Shearer - £440,000 - up from £380,000 Greg James - £425,000 - up from £415,000 Fiona Bruce - £410,000 - up from £405,000 AND Nick Robinson - £410,000 - up from £345,000 Stephen Nolan - £405,000 Laura Kuenssberg - £395,000 - up from £325,000 Vernon Kay - £390,000 - up from £320,000 Justin Webb - £365,000 - up from £320,000 Naga Munchetty - £355,000 - up from £345,000 Radio 2 host Zoe Ball, 53, remained the Beeb's second-highest earner despite a significant pay cut when she left the breakfast show,. She is now in the £515,000 - £519,999 grade, dropping from £950,000 to £954,999. Other top earners include Alan Shearer on £440k, Greg James on £425k and Fiona Bruce on £410k - all three receiving pay rises. Nearly 70 per cent of the BBC's top 20 earners received pay rises. One of the Beeb's former highest-earners, Huw Edwards, does not feature in 24/25's pay disclose list after he left in April 2024 amid an explicit image scandal. The BBC has not escaped scandal this year, though. MasterChef's Gregg Wallace, was fired this week for inappropriate conduct. Wynne Evans was also sacked by BBC Radio Wales after a row on Strictly Come Dancing. However neither would feature in the publicly-funded BBC's salary dossier, which discloses salaries above £178,000, because they are paid by external production firms or BBC Studios, the corporation's commercial arm. Many big names, including Claudia Winkleman, Tess Daly, Graham Norton and Bradley Walsh do not feature for the same reason. 12 12 Lineker retained his spot as the Beeb's highest earner Credit: BBC 12 Despite taking a huge pay cut, Zoe Ball was once again the second-highest paid Credit: PA It comes as under-fire Director General Tim Davie received a £15k pay hike despite systemic failure. He took home £540k. His pay boost comes just weeks after the BBC was forced to issue a grovelling apology for streaming Bob Vylan's "death to IDF" Glastonbury chant. Meanwhile the number of people paying for a TV licence fell by around 300,000 last year - almost two per cent in all. Some 23.8m licences are in force, down from 24.1m in 2023/2024. Scandal-hit BBC boss Tim Davie gets pay RISE to £540k despite Gregg Wallace drama, Glasto coverage & Hamas doc scandal SCANDAL-HIT BBC boss Tim Davie has been given a sizeable pay rise to earn £544,999 a year. The broadcaster's annual report shows the Director-General's pay packet swelled by around £15,000 or 2.5% over the past 12 months - despite controversies including those involving Gregg Wallace, Bob Vylan and a Hamas documentary. The Beeb is required to publish the pay and expenses for all senior leaders earning over £178,000 annually "in the BBC's public services", according to its report. Davie - who took up his current role in 2020 - was paid an estimated £529,999 in salary and taxable benefits in 2023-24. Asked by The Sun why Davie had received a £15,000 bonus despite significant failures throughout the year, BBC's chair of the board Dr Samir Shah said: "His pay has been frozen since 2021 and I think that it is reasonable. "There is little doubt that Tim's pay is significantly under the (going rate). "If you look at the figures , trust levels have gone up - if you look at the report, the actual performance of the BBC has been exceptional." He added: "I have no problems with awarding him with what is a very small bonus - which still ends up [with] his salary being significantly lower than any of his peers in the sector." But because of a hike in cost to £169.50, the BBC says it gathered some £183m more from the fees. Despite the drop, it said the "vast majority of our audiences remained committed to paying the licence fee". It comes as The Sun revealed the Beeb asked John Torode to resign from Masterchef after he was accused of racism. A report upheld 45 of 83 allegations of bad behaviour against his co-host Gregg Wallace, who was axed last week. The dossier also upheld a complaint that an unnamed person used a racial phrase once several years ago. Torode confirmed to The Sun it referred to him, but said: 'I have absolutely no recollection of this, and I do not believe that it happened.' The BBC also told the MasterChef presenter to pretend he had mental health issues after accusing him of racism, it was claimed. The stunned Aussie, 59, was asked to resign over the weekend after being dragged into the Gregg Wallace scandal. Shockingly, sources said the BBC and production company Banijay asked John to resign from the beleaguered show last week and claim he had mental health problems — to which he refused. Torode, who has hosted the BBC1 cooking show with Wallace since 2005, was shocked to be told of the allegation — which did not receive a complaint at the time but had been raised with investigators. 12 Tim Davie has received a substantial pay rise despite major scandals at the BBC Credit: Getty 12 The BBC asked John Torode to resign from MasterChef after an initial probe into his co-host Gregg Wallace 12 The broadcaster was forced to issue a grovelling apology after streaming Bob Vylan's controversial Glastonbury performance In a farcical turn of events, the BBC was unable to specify the time or date of the allegation, narrowing it down to '2018 or 2019'. The Beeb admitted the future of Masterchef was hanging in the balance after the shocking revelations and probes into both hosts. A total of 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Gregg during his time on the show were substantiated, including one allegation of "unwelcome physical contact". The corporation said the possibility of Gregg returning to MasterChef was "untenable". And they also issued a statement on the future of the new series of MasterChef, saying that, at this time, 'we are not going to make a final decision on the broadcast of the series that was filmed last year.' Earlier this month, the Beeb told how Bob Vylan were assessed as "high risk" before their performance at Glastonbury but were "deemed suitable for live streaming with appropriate mitigations". Chairman Samir Shah admitted that the decision to continue streaming the pro-Palestine punk duo following their 'death to the IDF' chant was an "error of judgement". Singer Bobby Vylan also shouted "from the river to the sea Palestine... will be free" - regarded by Jews as a call for Israel's elimination. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed cops were investigating the performance, as well as controversial Irish rock group Kneecap, after video and audio footage of their sets had been examined. The BBC later took down the broadcast on the iPlayer but was criticised for not cutting it off immediately after the anti-Semitic chanting, with the live feed continuing for another 40 minutes. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was among those who slammed the broadcaster and demanded an explanation for the decision to air the horrifying chant during the performance on the West Holts stage. n a fresh statement earlier this month, the BBC said: "We fully understand the strength of feeling regarding Bob Vylan's live appearance at Glastonbury on the BBC. "We deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to apologise to our viewers and listeners and in particular the Jewish community." 12 MOTD star Alan Shearer was third highest on the salary list 12 Fiona Bruce also received a pay rise - landing her fourth on the list
Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
New MOTD presenter Mark Chapman's salary revealed as he becomes one of three hosts replacing Gary Lineker
The three hosts will even earn less than pundit Alan Shearer SALARY CHAP New MOTD presenter Mark Chapman's salary revealed as he becomes one of three hosts replacing Gary Lineker Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GARY LINEKER earned a staggering FOUR TIMES more than his Match of the Day successor Mark Chapman last season. The BBC have published their annual salaries list, with Lineker, 64, far and away their top earner in 2023-24. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Mark Chapman's BBC wage for the 2023-24 season has been revealed Credit: Getty 6 Gary Lineker earned over four times as much as Chapman, raking in £1.35m Credit: Getty 6 Wayne Rooney will join MOTD on a two-year deal worth £800,000 Credit: Getty The former England striker spent 26 years as MOTD host and saw his pay reach a whopping £1.35MILLION per year. The Beeb's second highest earner is Zoe Ball - who has raked in £515,000 over the last 12 months for her work on BBC Radio 2. Alan Shearer completes the top three, with the Newcastle and England legend earning £440,000 in 2023-24 for his work as a Match of the Day and Euro 2024 pundit. SunSport exclusively revealed Wayne Rooney is also set to join the hit show as a pundit on a two-year deal worth £800,000. READ MORE SPORT STORIES BACK TO ROO IN THE STUDIO Wayne Rooney lands £800,000 deal to be Match of the Day pundit And that means they're both set to earn MORE than the shows new hosts - which include Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates. Chapman, 51, pocketed a cool £325,000 last year for his work with the BBC, which included 120 episodes of Radio 5 Live, the Olympics, Euro 2024 and, of course, Match of the Day 2. Despite his array of stellar work, 'Chappers' earned more than £1m LESS than his MOTD predecessor, Lineker - who officially quit the BBC in June - last year alone. Only three other BBC stars from the world of sport cracked their 'rich list'. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Final Score host Jason Mohammad - who also did some work for BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio 2 - took home £230,000 over the past year. Football Focus host Alex Scott raked in £205,000 in 2023-24, having also worked on Euro 2024, Sports Personality of the Year and the Women's Super League. New Match of the Day hosts sign up for huge reality TV show together as they rival each other for Gary Lineker's job 6 Gabby Logan is one of three stars replacing Lineker as MOTD host Credit: Getty 6 Kelly Cates will team up with Chapman and Logan as one of the rotating hosts Credit: Getty Finally, ex-Chelsea striker Chris Sutton pocketed £200,000 last year having worked for BBC Radio 5 Live, the Monday Night Club podcast, the 606 podcast, Euro 2024, Football Focus and Final Score. Cates, 49, is daughter of Liverpool and Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish and has spent most of her career at Sky Sports, but also worked for talkSPORT and ESPN among others before her BBC move, with her Beeb wage yet to be announced. TV legend Logan, 52, has worked extensively for the BBC, ITV and even Channel 5 - covering all many of sports and lifestyle shows, from the Olympics, World Cup and Euros, to Loose Women and even game show Pointless. While her most recent BBC salaries are unknown, she did take home £240,000 in 2022-23. Logan, along with Cates and Chapman, will be tasked with leading a new era for Match of the Day after a 26-year Lineker monopoly. On his exit, Lineker told The Rest is Football podcast in November 2024: "It has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC, but all things have to come to an end. "It came at a point where really the BBC and Match Of The Day, they've got the rights for another three years. "The cycle starts from next season so it felt like if I just do one more year it would be a bit weird. I feel this is now the right time. "I think the next contract they're looking to do Match Of The Day slightly differently." 6 Alan Shearer is the BBC's third highest paid star and will be top MOTD earner Credit: Getty Lineker - who replaced Des Lynam in 1999, added: "So I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm." However, in April 2025, speaking to fellow BBC star Amol Rajan - who earned £315,000 in 2023-24, good for 17th on the list - Lineker revealed: "Well, perhaps [the BBC] want me to leave. "There was the sense of that. "I always wanted one more contract, and I was umm-ing and ahh-ing about whether to do three years [more]. "In the end, I think there was a feeling that, because it was a new rights period, it was a chance to change the programme. "I think it was their preference that I didn't do Match of the Day for one more year, so they could bring in new people." As for the future, Lineker told FourFourTwo he wouldn't move to any of the BBC's rivals. He claimed: "I don't think you'll see me doing much football, apart from the podcast. "I'll do the odd thing, but I don't think you'll see me appearing regularly on another channel."
The Journal
26-06-2025
- The Journal
Obsessed Emily Maitlis stalker jailed for breaching restraining order
AN OBSESSED SERIAL stalker of Emily Maitlis, presenter of the podcast The News Agents, has been jailed for five years after breaching his restraining order by sending the broadcaster and her parents letters from prison. Nottingham Crown Court heard that Edward Vines was 'distraught' that his friendship with Maitlis ended three months after he told her he loved her while they were at university in Cambridge together, but his offending since has made Maitlis feel 'vulnerable and worried'. Vines, who refused to attend his sentencing hearing on Thursday, sent envelopes, sometimes containing more than one letter, addressed to Maitlis and her relatives which were intercepted by prison staff at HMP Lowdham Grange in Nottinghamshire, where he was serving a sentence for previous harassment. The 55-year-old, who represented himself in the trial, denied three counts of breaching a restraining order and one count of attempting to breach a restraining order between May 2023 and February 2024 but was convicted of all offences by a jury in May. He addressed more than 20 letters to Maitlis and her family over a 10-month period and phoned his brother in July 2023 asking him to contact her mother Marion Maitlis. The court heard that Vines has 13 previous convictions for 28 offences dating back to 2002 'almost all of which concern harassment or breach of a restraining order' relating to Maitlis. In a short victim personal statement read to the court by prosecutor Fergus Malone, Maitlis wrote: 'For over 30 years I have been living with the consequences of the persistent and unwanted attention of this individual. 'I feel especially vulnerable and worried when the matter comes to trial. The idea that he might be bailed is deeply worrying and I would be very concerned for my safety and the safety of my family.' Maitlis also described her husband finding Vines on their doorstep, her children needing to be escorted to the school bus, and 'upsetting interactions' with her 92-year-old mother. Part of an interview she did with Radio 5 Live in 2018 was also read to the court, in which she described feeling 'paranoia' and said the harassment feels like a 'chronic illness'. Advertisement Sentencing Vines in his absence, Judge Mark Watson said: 'It is a tragedy that I once again have to deal with Edward Vines for breaking the restraining order imposed to stop him having contact with Emily Maitlis and her family. 'He has shown complete contempt for this order. His contact with her is harassment of her whatever the content of his letters may be. 'In this case she (Maitlis) has been fearful for three decades. In 2018 she described the effects of the fear she felt as a result of Edward Vines's behaviour. It was described by her as like a chronic illness. 'Because of the history of this case, I regard each single letter as a very serious breach. These were also letters that did not get through. They were not threatening or meant as abusive. 'I do accept that because of his mental health issues there is some reduction to his culpability. He was, however, capable of making rational decisions. 'He is a very bright and articulate man – he could have been many things. His obsession with Emily Maitlis has tortured him without release. 'He has wasted more than two decades of his life and regrettably he is set to waste more of it in custody.' The judge added that Vines's imprisonment is the 'only thing stopping him from contacting the Maitlis family directly'. Malone told the jury during the trial that Vines wrote a letter addressed to Maitlis, who co-hosts The News Agents podcast, which said: 'I took the audacity of writing to you despite the restraining order because I'm still distraught about what took place between us in 1990. 'I regularly suffer depression over it and have for 30 years. I admit I'm not sure why I suffer so, but suffer I do.' The restraining order was put in place on September 5 2022 when Vines was convicted of eight counts of breaching a restraining order and he was jailed for eight years.
