Presenter 'bemused' by sacking for Nazi remark

A radio presenter spoke today of his disappointment after he was sacked for calling a Conservative councillor a "Nazi" and an "ignorant pig" live on air.

Jon Gaunt said he was "bemused" by Talksport's decision to sack him following an investigation into the remarks made earlier this month on his radio show.

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In a statement, he said: "I am particularly disappointed by their decision when I apologised for the incident to both the audience and the councillor.

"The councillor has accepted my apology and agrees that we all need to focus on the bigger picture - children in care.

"I have received tremendous support from hundreds of fans as well as national celebrities following this story and my views remain the same."

Gaunt interviewed Cllr 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.

Mr Gaunt said he would continue to campaign for a voice for children in care.

"The main issue is not about Jon Gaunt making controversial statements or about him losing his job," he said.

"It is about the thousands of kids in care who don't have a voice. So if someone wants to smoke but will offer a child care, why shouldn't they be allowed to look after children."

Talksport said yesterday that it had terminated Gaunt's contract following an investigation launched after complaints about the content and nature of the broadcast.

A spokesman said the radio station has apologised to the councillor for the manner in which the interview was conducted.