A BBC presenter who was sacked for his inappropriate radio segments says he thought he was acting within the guidelines.
Jack Murley, from Bodmin, was employed by BBC Radio Cornwall, in Truro, from 2019 until he was taken off air by the broadcaster in 2023.
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His dismissal came after a “heated conversation” with his boss over his social media use.
The presenter was taken off air despite believing he was “acting within the BBC’s social media guidelines”, a tribunal heard.
Since 2022 Mr Murley had offered his views on social media about the BBC’s Local Value For All project, questions were also raised about one of his radio features.
Mr Murley’s Loosest Goose segment, a satirical show that included innuendo, was described at the disciplinary hearing as being “deeply inappropriate” and “well beyond innuendo.”
One of the beebs senior news editors told the tribunal it had been a “clear and straightforward decision” to consider the case as “gross misconduct.”
At the hearing in Exeter Mr Murley explained he would have been willing to make changes or even “undertake training” to keep his job.
He said if concerns were raised with him he would have acted to address them.
The former presenter is now seeking a whopping £48,000 in compensation.
The corporation said they removed the presenter from the airwaves because of the “heated conversation” he had with his manager.
According to Mr Murley the row stemmed from his social media use, which the firm took issue with.
A senior news editor at BBC Wales was the hearing manager for the disciplinary proceedings brought against Mr Murley.
The senior news editor said social media posts were viewed in the same light as a broadcast.
Speaking at the tribunal he would go on to say Mr Murley: “Should have had the knowledge and experience to be compliant with the guidelines.”
Mr Murley’s disciplinary hearing went to appeal and the hearing manager director of BBC Northern Ireland, Adam Smyth, upheld the decision.
Smyth said the corporation has to “be sure that our presenters are trustworthy.”
Mr Murley is said to have claimed he had several examples of managers endorsing his innuendo in his Loosest Goose radio feature.
He questioned how he was supposed to know that the show breached guidelines given that his seniors endorsed it.
The former presenter explained at the hearing: “I thought I was in the right.”
He added: “I think there was a way back, I wanted to stay at the BBC, I loved the BBC.”
The tribunal continues.
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