BBC employees 'furious with Jermaine Jenas for defending himself' as details emerge following scandal
BBC employees are furious at Jermaine Jenas' bid to defend himself in the wake of the recent scandal
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BBC employees are furious at Jermaine Jenas' bid to defend himself, according to reports.
The 41-year-old was axed by the broadcaster earlier this week after sending inappropriate text messages to two female members of staff.
Jenas has issued a grovelling apology, while also admitting his wife, Ellie Penfold, is 'raging' at his antics.
The former Newcastle and Tottenham star has insisted he did nothing 'illegal', however, while saying the text messages were between 'consenting adults'.
BBC employees are furious at Jermaine Jenas' bid to defend himself in the wake of the recent scandal
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Yet the Daily Mail say BBC employees are 'furious' with Jenas' bid to defend himself.
It's also claimed staff members are 'up in arms' at his threats to sue the BBC, despite chiefs at the broadcaster believing they have enough evidence to sack him.
One insider has accused Jenas of abusing his power.
They're quoted as saying: "He was loved by the bosses... and he knew it.
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"That meant he was in a position of power, he was the star and not just any star, a former England footballer.
"If someone like that messages you, it's awkward to say no to them or to ask them to stop.
"There is a certain element of fear that comes with not replying."
The report says BBC bosses 'secretly' compiled a dossier of damning evidence against Jenas prior to his dismissal.
READ MORE: Jermaine Jenas' wife 'makes decision' after BBC sacking
Director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski wanted to 'investigate thoroughly' after being told Jenas had sent inappropriate, unsolicited messages.
His colleagues were spoken to as part of the investigation, while mobile phone data was examined as well.
Jenas has lost his job on Match of the Day, which he was paid a massive £190,000-a-year for.
And the former England international has also been relieved of his The One Show duties, too, in the wake of the scandal.
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Jermaine Jenas' wife is 'raging' with the former BBC presenter following the scandal earlier this week
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Speaking to The Sun, Jenas claimed to have been blocked from apologising to the women he messaged.
"I wasn’t allowed to contact the women at all," he said.
He continued: “When it was all unfolding and I knew I was losing my job, I asked HR if I could contact the two women directly and apologise to both of them.
“But because of the legal process, I wasn’t allowed.
Jermaine Jenas' former BBC colleagues were quizzed as part of the investigation into the former football star
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“I didn’t get the opportunity to say sorry to them at that particular point when I really wanted to apologise.
“I really want to apologise from the bottom of my heart in terms of what I’ve put them through."
Addressing the women he messaged directly, he added: “I’m genuinely sorry for what I’ve done to you.
"I always thought it was consensual and a two-way thing.”