www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-23196139

BBC reporter Russell Joslin 'had problem' with female colleague

A BBC journalist who is thought to have killed himself had problems with a female colleague, an inquest has heard.

Russell Joslin, 50, a radio reporter for BBC Coventry and Warwickshire, died in hospital last October.

At the hearing in Leamington Spa, the coroner has ruled the identity of the woman cannot be revealed.

Mr Joslin's father, Peter, said his son had problems with a co-worker "who you tell me mustn't be named".

'Rapid decline'
He said Russell had been admitted to a psychiatric unit last March, but seemed much better until a "rapid decline" last October.

A friend contacted the family to say Russell was thinking of killing himself, Mr Joslin, the former chief constable of Warwickshire Police, said.

On 19 October he said he was called because Russell had thrown himself under a bus and was subsequently admitted to a psychiatric unit after medical treatment.

He told the hearing that his son "wasn't quite there" and he "wasn't the Russell that we knew" but the family felt he was in the best place.

Russell was taken to Warwick Hospital and then to nearby St Michael's psychiatric hospital.

He was later admitted back to Warwick Hospital as an emergency patient, where he died on 22 October.

Preliminary tests found he died from asphyxiation, an earlier inquest hearing was told.

Threatening voicemail
Russell had complained to BBC managers of sexual harassment by the unidentified female colleague, the inquest heard.

Following his death an inquiry was started by the corporation, led by HR consultant Lesley Granger, who was a former BBC employee.

She told the hearing on Friday that the allegations made by Russell, which included unwelcome advances and threatening voicemail, spanned 2005-08.

BBC 5 Live's Phil Mackie, at the hearing, said it appeared allegations of sexual harassment which were made officially in March last year, were omitted from an official report sent to BBC managers.

The hearing continues.