Hannibal smith
New member
Phone in I can understand as it will be window licker driven now. But Commentary? Come on. Surely the BBC will be able to drag SOMEONE out who can adequately describe 22 men running around a pitch.
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How are You Going to LISTEN To The Commentary Now Hart and Hawesy Have Been SUSPENDED
- Thread starter Mendoza
- Start date
Phone in I can understand as it will be window licker driven now. But Commentary? Come on. Surely the BBC will be able to drag SOMEONE out who can adequately describe 22 men running around a pitch.
Uncle Spielberg
Well-known member
Johnny Dixon ?.
Garage_Doors
Originally the Swankers
Unfortunately he is contracted to play in every game.
Has anyone seen any confirmation that they have been suspended and that commentary and post match phone in have been cancelled? Source for both please.
Man of Harveys
Well-known member
I say bring back Andrew Hawes - truly great commentator.
OK - thank you.
Outrage at Albion pundits' disabled jibe
9:43am Friday 10th October 2008
comment Comments (0) Have your say »
By Simon Barrett »
Two BBC radio presenters face the sack after insulting disabled people live on an Albion phone-in show.
Andrew Hawes and Ian Hart have been taken off the airwaves at BBC Southern Counties after using the phrase “window licker” – a derogatory term for a disabled person.
The BBC refused to confirm what action was being taken against the broadcasters but issued an “unreserved apology”.
However, The Argus understands that both have been suspended and disciplinary hearings will take place next week.
Mr Hart, who has been hosting the post-match phone-in for ten years, last night apologised for the gaffe and conceded that what he had said was “grossly inappropriate”.
The furore erupted after Mr Hart told a fan to “go and lick a window” in a row about manager Micky Adams after Albion’s win over Leyton Orient on Tuesday night. His comment was followed by Mr Hawes urging “any window lickers out there” to call the show.
The outburst sparked fury among disabled charities.
A spokeswoman for Mencap said: “We are appalled that such offensive language is still used.
“People with a learning disability are a valuable part of our society and it is a disgrace that they are treated as objects to make fun of. We are pleased to see this was taken seriously by the BBC and hope that they discipline the presenters appropriately.”
Ian MacRae, editor of Disability Now magazine, said: “It is unacceptable that people on public radio believe they can come out with stuff like this. I urge anyone who was offended to complain to the regulator.”
Mr Hawes, who has commentated on Albion games for several years, yesterday declined to comment.
But Mr Hart, 44, said: “I apologised unreservedly three times on air and I apologise again now. In that split second I didn’t realise the severity of what I was saying.
“I now know it was grossly inappropriate.”
Brighton and Hove Albion and a charity for people with learning disabilities last night sprang to Mr Hart’s defence.
Sussex Seals said its members adored Mr Hart and the furore was “political madness gone extremely mad”.
Albion spokesman Paul Camillin said: “Ian is a caring and compassionate individual and does a lot of fine work in the community, much of it out of the media spotlight.
“At our recent home game against Walsall he brought a party of ill and disabled children to the match.
“There is no doubt Ian’s comments were misjudged but they were said in the heat of the moment and I know he is devastated that he has offended anybody.”
Yesterday opinions were split among fans on North Stand Chat, with dozens rallying to support Mr Hart while others called for him to be sacked.
A BBC spokeswoman said: “We issue an unreserved apology for the comments that have been made.
“The BBC takes this kind of issue extremely seriously and action is being taken.”
*****************
How is this down to NSC?
9:43am Friday 10th October 2008
comment Comments (0) Have your say »
By Simon Barrett »
Two BBC radio presenters face the sack after insulting disabled people live on an Albion phone-in show.
Andrew Hawes and Ian Hart have been taken off the airwaves at BBC Southern Counties after using the phrase “window licker” – a derogatory term for a disabled person.
The BBC refused to confirm what action was being taken against the broadcasters but issued an “unreserved apology”.
However, The Argus understands that both have been suspended and disciplinary hearings will take place next week.
Mr Hart, who has been hosting the post-match phone-in for ten years, last night apologised for the gaffe and conceded that what he had said was “grossly inappropriate”.
The furore erupted after Mr Hart told a fan to “go and lick a window” in a row about manager Micky Adams after Albion’s win over Leyton Orient on Tuesday night. His comment was followed by Mr Hawes urging “any window lickers out there” to call the show.
The outburst sparked fury among disabled charities.
A spokeswoman for Mencap said: “We are appalled that such offensive language is still used.
“People with a learning disability are a valuable part of our society and it is a disgrace that they are treated as objects to make fun of. We are pleased to see this was taken seriously by the BBC and hope that they discipline the presenters appropriately.”
Ian MacRae, editor of Disability Now magazine, said: “It is unacceptable that people on public radio believe they can come out with stuff like this. I urge anyone who was offended to complain to the regulator.”
Mr Hawes, who has commentated on Albion games for several years, yesterday declined to comment.
But Mr Hart, 44, said: “I apologised unreservedly three times on air and I apologise again now. In that split second I didn’t realise the severity of what I was saying.
“I now know it was grossly inappropriate.”
Brighton and Hove Albion and a charity for people with learning disabilities last night sprang to Mr Hart’s defence.
Sussex Seals said its members adored Mr Hart and the furore was “political madness gone extremely mad”.
Albion spokesman Paul Camillin said: “Ian is a caring and compassionate individual and does a lot of fine work in the community, much of it out of the media spotlight.
“At our recent home game against Walsall he brought a party of ill and disabled children to the match.
“There is no doubt Ian’s comments were misjudged but they were said in the heat of the moment and I know he is devastated that he has offended anybody.”
Yesterday opinions were split among fans on North Stand Chat, with dozens rallying to support Mr Hart while others called for him to be sacked.
A BBC spokeswoman said: “We issue an unreserved apology for the comments that have been made.
“The BBC takes this kind of issue extremely seriously and action is being taken.”
*****************
How is this down to NSC?
Uncle Spielberg
Well-known member
The club is supporting Hart so I was off there. It seems the daiability charities and organisations are the ones who have forced the BBC's hand.
Yes please. Hawes is superb.
That's a good balanced report from Barrett.
Lord Bracknell
On fire
Nowhere is it suggested that Mencap complained. Mencap commented on the story when the Argus approached them.
Icy Gull
Back on the rollercoaster
- Jul 5, 2003
- 72,015
Hawsey is too good a commentator to be working on provincial football programmes, I am suprised he hasn't been poached by bigger fish tbh.
Anyone who's had the misfortune to have to listen to the opposition commentaries when the SCR link is down will know what I mean
Anyone who's had the misfortune to have to listen to the opposition commentaries when the SCR link is down will know what I mean
Smythe
Active member
The NSC response to this shows why I only occasionally look at this board. Some great post and comments but the majority a small clique of wan*ers who think they are the be all and end all of Brighton and Hove Albion supporters.
Ian Hart has done more than nearly any other Brighton supportr in the fight to make sure we still have a club. Now he faces the sack for telling the truth. Your not allowed to tell the truth these days.
So to the wan*ers that want Hart sacked, you are pathetic little people hiding behind a keyboard.
Sums up this mad mad PC world we live in.
Ian Hart has done more than nearly any other Brighton supportr in the fight to make sure we still have a club. Now he faces the sack for telling the truth. Your not allowed to tell the truth these days.
So to the wan*ers that want Hart sacked, you are pathetic little people hiding behind a keyboard.
Sums up this mad mad PC world we live in.
Safeway
M0DERAT0R
I can't see the problem. Mike Ward and Norman Gall will do a STIRLING job.
The response from anyone who wants to influence the BBC decision is simple - you have to email or write to them directly.
SUSSEX: BBC Southern Counties, Broadcasting House, Queens Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3XB
southerncounties@bbc.co.uk
If you want to phone up (and I'm not convinced that will have an effect):
01273 320400 - BBC Radio Southern Counties in Brighton
SUSSEX: BBC Southern Counties, Broadcasting House, Queens Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3XB
southerncounties@bbc.co.uk
If you want to phone up (and I'm not convinced that will have an effect):
01273 320400 - BBC Radio Southern Counties in Brighton