‘Deep unease’ at BBC Radio Scotland as majority of axed presenters are women

There is a “deep sense of unease” among staff at BBC Radio Scotland after a succession of respected arts presenters, more than half of them women, were dropped from schedules. The changes have prompted questions about diversity of coverage amid an apparent shift to a “more commercial sensibility” for the public broadcaster. The Guardian spoke to a wide range of staff at the station who also raised questions about the treatment of one of their best-known presenters, Kaye Adams, who was sacked from her role presenting the Mornings show earlier this year after internal complaints about her conduct . One employee said: “Staff are worried we’ve lost popular women presenters at the same time as an apparent move to a more commercial sensibility.” Staff raised questions about the treatment of Kaye Adams, who was sacked from her role earlier this year. Photograph: Rich Dyson/Alamy The changes are part of a sweeping shake-up by BBC Scotland’s new head of audio and events, Victoria Easton Riley. This Friday, the three women who hosted the station’s afternoon culture coverage – singer Michelle McManus, poet Len Pennie and Nicola Meighan, one of Scotland’s best connected music journalists – will step down, despite latest Rajar figures indicating their shows were doing better than ever. They will be replaced by one male presenter, Grant Stott, who will broadcast Monday to Thursday, and on Fridays by Arlene Stuart, who continues to work at Bauer Radio’s Forth 1. …