News
Radio presenter sacked for calling councillor Nazi granted High Court challenge
29th January 2010
A radio presenter who was sacked after calling a councillor a ''Nazi'' and an ''ignorant pig'' live on air has won
permission to bring a High Court challenge over the media watchdog's decision to uphold complaints against him.
Jon Gaunt, who made the comments on his Talksport radio show in November 2008, was challenging a decision by Ofcom upholding the complaints under the Broadcasting Code.
The case arises out of an interview by Gaunt with councillor Michael Stark about Redbridge Council's decision to ban smokers from becoming foster parents.
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'', an ''ignorant pig'' and also a "health Nazi", arguing that children in care would be deprived of the chance of finding a foster home under the new policy.
Gaunt claims his fundamental right to free speech and to criticise a professional politician has been infringed by Ofcom's findings. Granting permission for the judicial review, Mr Justice Stadlen, sitting in London, said his ruling meant there was an arguable case, but it did not follow that the court was of the view that the claim would succeed.
Shami Chakrabati, the director of human rights group Liberty, which intervened in the action, said it was a "massively important" case. "We are very proud to be involved in it and we will fight for Jon all the way."
No censure for councillors who broke code of conduct
25th January 2010
THOUSANDS of people have flocked to Warwickshire County Council’s website over the past two weeks to find out
how local services have been affected by the cold snap. Two Canterbury regional councillors have been found to have broken the council's code of conduct but will not face any punishment.
In August last year, councillor Jo Kane complained that e-mails from councillor Rik Tindall were threatening, while he claimed that she leaked details of the spat to media.
A review board chaired by councillor Sir Kerry Burke has found Mr Tindall and Ms Kane breached Environment Canterbury's code of conduct.
However, Sir Kerry says while the behaviour of both councillors is unbecoming, the breaches were at the lower end of the scale and do not require censure or removal from council committees.
