Drowned BBC executive felt isolated

A SENIOR BBC executive drowned after feeling "under-supported" and "isolated" at work, an inquest heard.

Kari Boto, 53, of Ipswich, Suffolk was found in the sea at Felixstowe in June last year – three days before her BBC contract had been due to expire.

The inquest into her death, held at Ipswich Crown Court, heard that Mrs Boto had suffered stress and anxiety in her role as a director with the BBC World Trust, which she took up in October 2006.

Her husband of 26 years, Tom Boto, a consultant at Ipswich Hospital, told the inquest that his wife had suffered "mental and physical illness" after taking on the role.

He said this resulted in her telling a senior manager of her intention to resign, but she later tried to reverse this decision. Mr Boto said BBC bosses encouraged her to stick to her original plan and she was later told her employment would end on 30 June.

"She felt completely under-supported, unprotected. She felt completely isolated. She realised doors for her career had been shut on her," said Mr Boto.

The hearing continues.