The 61-year-old broadcaster said witnessing incidents of sexual and physical abuse at Edinburgh Academy had a “profound impact on my life”. Campbell first made the claims in an episode of his podcast Different on BBC Sounds, which aired on Wednesday 27 July. During the episode he discusses his experiences with journalist Alex Renton, creator of the radio program In Dark Corners, which explores abuse in Britain’s private schools. “I was badly beaten at school by a teacher who was a master of scripture association,” Campbell told BBC Radio 5 Live in an excerpt of an interview broadcast on Wednesday. “My mother took it as far as she could and made an awful apology to (the person involved), but she was basically stoned and the school closed. “It was different times and that stayed with me my whole life.” Campbell also discussed witnessing more serious sexual abuse, allegedly inflicted on his classmates at the hands of another man at the institution. “I can’t describe it here and I can never see it,” he told 5 Live. “This man was known to all of us as a predator and a sadist, but we never told anyone. “My school friends and I talk about it now with each other with disdain, disbelief and incomprehension, something like this happened in plain sight and nothing was done. “And why didn’t we as little boys tell anyone in authority what was going on? I do not know.” The 61-year-old broadcaster said witnessing incidents of sexual and physical abuse at the Edinburgh Academy had a “profound effect on my life” (John Super/BBC/PA) (Average PA) It was also revealed to Campbell by Renton that the alleged thug is still alive, but has not been named for legal reasons. Speaking on his own podcast, Campbell says the reason he chose to come forward is to bring the man to justice for the alleged abuse. In a statement provided to the BBC, the Edinburgh Academy said it “deeply regrets” the alleged incidents and apologized “wholeheartedly” to those involved. “We have been working closely with the relevant authorities, including Police Scotland, with their inquiries and would like to provide reassurance that things have changed dramatically since the 1970s,” the statement said. “The Academy has put in place strong measures to safeguard children at school with child protection training now at the core of the Academy’s ethos.” Different With Nicky Campbell is available on BBC Sounds. If you are worried about a child, even if you are not sure, you can contact professional advisers at the NSPCC for help, advice and support by emailing [email protected] or calling 0808 800 5000. For people aged 18 or over below, Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your concerns and whenever you need help. Call 0800 1111 or contact Childline. If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can contact your nearest Rape Crisis organization for specialist, independent and confidential support. For more information, visit their website here.
