Beleaguered BBC weather boss Bill Giles spoke of his anger at the decision by Met Office chiefs to uphold the charge of harassment by two members of his staff.

Speaking exclusively to the Oxford Mail, the Oxfordshire-based forecaster said last night: "I have been informed of the decision against me and I am flabbergasted.

"Things have apparently been proven and I don't know how.

"I think this whole thing has been very badly handled by the Met Office and I have already appealed against the decision."

Mr Giles, 59, has long been one of the country's favourite weathermen, with a career stretching back almost 28 years. Viewers have long regarded the popular BBC weather chief as a friendly, popular figure.

But two of his forecasting staff - David Lee, 48, and 44-year old Richard Edgar - have complained to Met Office chiefs about Mr Giles's "harassment" involving "snide e-mails", and "upsetting memos". "I want this ruling overturned," Mr Giles said from his Chinnor home last night.

"I was planning to retire next month when I am 60, but I am very, very annoyed and cannot understand how they have come to this decision.

"It could be a perception of harassment - and if that is the case, then any manager in this country is in trouble. I am pretty thick-skinned, but mud sticks, which is why I shall be appealing to my chief executive at the Met Office, Peter Ewins.

"I just can't believe that this complaint has been proven. I will appeal. I don't want to just disappear at the end of my career, it is not a pleasant thing to do.

"I was confident that the charges would not be upheld but I am not confident of the result of my appeal, not now. If justice prevails, I will be all right.

"As far as I knew, I was running a damn good outfit. No doubt, some members of my staff will be delighted to see me go.

"But I would hope that the vast majority would not.

"However. the silence from my employers has been deafening."

Into each life, a little rain must fall: See features

Story date: Saturday 23 October

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