Gaunt is gone

[Kahnee]

RADIO PRESENTER SACKED OVER 'NAZI' JIBE

By Vicky Shaw, Press Association Media Correspondent

A radio presenter who called a Conservative councillor a "Nazi" and an "ignorant pig" live on air has been sacked.

An investigation was launched after the remarks, made by Jon Gaunt on his Talksport radio show, generated "a number" of complaints from listeners.

During a show earlier this month, Gaunt was interviewing councillor Michael Stark about Redbridge Council's ban on smokers becoming foster parents, which will come into force in January 2010.

Mr Stark defended the decision on the grounds that the welfare of young children should be put ahead of the needs of foster families.

But Gaunt, who was in care as a child, accused his interviewee of being a "Nazi" and an "ignorant pig".

He then tried to tone down his remarks by saying Mr Stark was a "health Nazi" and arguing that children in care would be deprived of the chance of finding a foster home under the new policy.

At the end of the show, Gaunt made an on-air apology to his guest and was suspended pending an investigation.

A Talksport spokesman said today: "Talksport yesterday terminated presenter Jon Gaunt's contract following an interview with Redbridge Council's Councillor Michael Stark on Friday, November 7.

"The decision follows an internal Talksport investigation that was instigated following complaints about the content and nature of the broadcast.

"The radio station has apologised to the councillor for the manner in which the interview was conducted."

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