UTV Suspends On Air For Objectionable Comments Directed To London Councillor

More evidence that British broadcasters are starting to get tough with their on air hosts in the wake of the Brand/Ross fallout: UTV has suspended “shock-jock” host Jon Gaunt for calling a London councilman an “ignorant pig” during an on-air debate on the show TalkSport about exposing children to foster parents who smoke. Mr. Gaunt also referred to Councillor Michael Stark a “Nazi.” Mr. Gaunt apologized during the broadcast, trying to explain that he had meant to say “health Nazi.” UTV is investigating; it has received numerous complaints from listeners.

Mr. Gaunt also addressed the issues he had discussed with Mr. Stark on air in a Sun column, this time referring to “health and safety Nazis.” But he also continued with his “Nazi” theme by referring to the Social Services department as the “SS”. Read more here in a Guardian story and here in an article in the Independent.