Herald columnist Ian was suspended by BBC Southern Counties Radio after telling football fans "you would be better served licking a window" in comments made on air at half-time during a Brighton and Hove Albion football match.

He apologised immediately, and three times in total, when he returned to the airwaves for the post-match phone-in, but was suspended with co-host Andrew Hawes, who had also made a reference to "window-lickers", a derogatory term for disabled people.

Reaction to comments

The reference came as Ian reacted to comments posted on a football website calling for the exhumation of late England footballer Alan Ball, whom Ian worked with during his decade in broadcasting.

Ian refused to comment directly on the comments made while the BBC disciplinary process is ongoing, but said: "I'm overwhelmed by the level of support I've received.

"I didn't realise the severity of what I was saying. I have to apologise unreservedly."

Charity trustee

Ian offered to resign as a trustee of St Barnabas House Hospice in the furore surrounding his suspension, but the charity has fully backed the man they call "a unique character".

Guy Clinch, chairman of trustees for St Barnabas House and the Chestnut Tree House children's hospice, said: "Ian Hart is one of our most active and hard-working trustees.

"He does a great deal for the hospices both in public and behind the scenes and we value his support and efforts.

"Ian is known for his forthright manner and speaking his mind – he is a unique character who throws himself passionately behind the causes he embraces.

"In this instance, Ian has clearly recognised that his comments were inappropriate and apologised unreservedly."

Sussex Seals

Steve Pollard, of the Sussex Seals, a sports group for people with disabilities and learning difficulties, described Ian as a "pillar of the community" and said he had been unfairly "hounded".

He said: "Over the last 18 months, Ian Hart has supported us in more ways than one.

"That's testament to the sort of guy he is.

"He has supported us in fundraising, given us signed match shirts.

"The guy has been hounded by certain sections of the press and the community. What's happening is unfair.

"He hasn't got a bad bone in his body and it's unfair for him to be treated the way he is."

Albion backing

Brighton and Hove Albion FC has also fully backed Ian.

Spokesman Paul Camillin said: "There is no doubt Ian's comments were misjudged, but they were said in the heat of the moment and I know that he is devastated that he has offended anybody.

"He made a mistake, not knowing the severity of a comment which was born of frustration, but quickly apologised on air. That should have been the end of the matter.

"Ian is a caring and compassionate individual and he does a lot of fine work in the Sussex community, much of it away from the media spotlight.

"Not least at the recent game against Walsall at Withdean, when he brought a party of terminally ill and disabled children to the match."

Naïve mistake

Teresa Sanders, disabled project manager for Albion in the Community, said: "Both Ian and Andrew's comments were naïve, but the key thing is that neither realised the severity of their words, or the offence that they would cause.

"If either had known what the phrase meant, they would have realised the offence it would cause, and there is no way they would have used it on air. His only mistake is naïvety.

"Ian has always been a keen supporter of the club's disabled project, and my opinion of him has not changed."

Disabled supporters

Tina Shlovogt, chair of Brighton's Official Disabled Supporters Group, said: "While we all felt what was said was a silly comment and don't condone it, we know it was made unwittingly.

"Ian has always been very good to us, whether it be donating prizes and giving us air time to promote the group.

"We often sit next to disabled guests Ian brings to games, and we know the work that he does in this area."

Have your say

Should Ian Hart have been suspended for his comments?

The vote revealed 29 per cent (466) saying no and 70 per cent (1,140) voting yes

What do you think?

Were you offended by Ian's comments?

Has he been dealt with too harshly?

Share your views, comment below, email the Herald or write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.


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