Episode 29: Matt Hancock’s WhatsApps; Gary Lineker’s BBC Twitter Storm; Fiona Bruce’s Controversy; Teacher’s Racist WhatsApps Caught By Pupils & Oscars Diversity

The Lawdown: Employment Law Podcast Series from CM Murray LLP

In our latest episode of The Lawdown, Partners Beth Hale and Emma Bartlett and Senior Associates Wonu Sanda and Pooja Dasgupta discuss the following:

1. Matt Hancock’s leaked WhatsApp messages - thousands of the former Health Secretary’s covid WhatsApp messages leaked by Isabel Oakeshott to the Telegraph; the tension between upholding confidentiality agreements and the disclosure of information in public interest; and the potential risks of using WhatsApp for work.
2. Gary Lineker’s BBC Twitter storm - the BBC’s suspension of Match of the Day presenter, Gary Lineker, following his criticism of the government’s proposed illegal migration bill on Twitter. We discuss the increasing use of social media by employees to express personal views, the blurred boundaries between personal and professional life online and the importance of updating and applying social media policies clearly, proportionately, and consistently.
3. Fiona Bruce’s Question Time controversy – Fiona Bruce stepping down as ambassador for Refuge, a domestic violence charity, following accusations that she trivialised domestic violence during a discussion about Boris Johnson’s father on Question Time. We discuss the impact of external activities on the workplace and the challenges faced by those holding multiple roles when managing and resolving conflicts of interests.
4. Teacher’s racist WhatsApp chat caught by pupils – the Ethiopian Israeli school girls reportedly 'mocked' by their teachers in a racist WhatsApp group chat titled ‘Black School Trip’ and the concerning discriminatory connotations at play, as well as issues of professionalism, confidentiality and the risk of WhatsApp evidence disclosure in litigation.
5. 2023 Oscars Diversity – the historic and ground-breaking wins at the 2023 Oscars for diverse creatives of Asian descent involved in the best picture winner, ‘Everything, Everywhere All at Once’ and other diverse winners. We discuss the positive developments since the #oscarssowhite protests in 2015, the progress in the recognition and celebration of minority groups at the Oscars and the importance of ensuring a diverse selection and voting panel process to bring about sustained change.