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Doctor Blake producers confirm internal investigation

Updated: Producers will look into inappropriate behaviour on set of former ABC show.

The Doctor Blake Mysteries producer December Media has confirmed an internal investigation following further allegations surrounding star Craig McLachlan.

Last week allegations emerged during the 2014 stage production The Rocky Horror Show but the former ABC series was understood to be trouble-free.

Yesterday Fairfax alleged inappropriate behaviour linked to the TV series, quoting anonymous crew members.

Whilst the details appear to be less explicit than those during Rocky Horror, producers have confirmed an internal investigation. One incident refers to verbal abuse of a production assistant.

Updated: December Media issued the following statement to Fairfax on Friday:

Following the allegations with regard to Craig McLachlan’s behaviour on the Rocky Horror set in 2014 there have been subsequent rumours about his behaviour on the Doctor Blake set on series 5 filmed in 2016.

In the light of these rumours December Media appointed Fiona Bigelli of Pax People to talk to all the core cast and crew on the series and provide us with a report and advice on further action if required.

This afternoon we received a list of specific allegations and questions from Fairfax Media. Looking into these allegations and any other that may arise will be part of the work that Fiona will undertake.

If these allegations are substantiated this points to a serious breakdown in the adherence to the policies and procedures that December media has in place.

We reiterate that until this afternoon December Media had received no complaints from the set of Doctor Blake 5.

McLachlan has denied allegations around Rocky Horror but has since departed the show. December Media has halted production of The Doctor Blake Mysteries telemovies for Seven.

Media have gone to some lengths to continue reportage of the saga, whilst ABC dropped repeats of Doctor Blake from iview.

December Media CEO Stuart Menzies told TV Tonight, “The publication of the allegations by ABC and Fairfax on Saturday were anonymous, unsubstantiated and uncorroborated, any concept of natural justice would appear to have been forgotten.

“We have not changed our plans to conduct our own independent investigation into instances of inappropriate behaviour on the Blake set and will commence as planned on Monday.”