Wallace sues BBC for £10k for failing to release data

Former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace is suing the BBC and BBC Studios for up to £10,000 in damages, claiming the broadcaster caused him "distress and harassment" by failing to fully comply with a subject access request (SAR). Wallace, who was dismissed from the popular cooking show in July, is seeking a court order to compel the organisations to release his personal data.

In High Court documents, Wallace claims that he made a request in March for data related to his work, contractual relations, and conduct over 21 years. He alleges that both the BBC and its commercial arm unlawfully failed to supply all his personal data, with BBC Studios specifically citing "freedom of expression" as a reason for withholding or wrongly redacting some information. The BBC had previously sought an extension on the one-month legal deadline, calling the request "complex." 

In response, The Standard reports that the broadcaster has now filed its defence, arguing that Wallace is not entitled to damages and that Wallace pursued his claim without giving prior notice. 

The documents state: "That voluntary disclosure demonstrates the claimant has no basis to claim damages for distress in respect of the withholding of such information." 

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