THE BBC has denied claims of bullying at Midlands Today amid a new outcry from journalists of a “total whitewash”.

The denial was issued following the completion of an independent inquiry into the bullying row at the teatime news programme.

But independent training experts from Leek-based Developing People Ltd allowed only two officials from the National Union of Journalists at the Mailbox to view the findings.

The BBC yesterday issued a statement confirming the report had been prepared – and said it found no evidence of bullying.

A spokesman said: “The BBC has conducted a thorough review of the issues raised by staff at Midlands Today.