Gaunt made the remark about Redbridge councillor Michael Stark on November 7 in a discussion about a local authority plan to ban smokers from fostering children.
The decision comes despite an on-air apology by Gaunt after the incident. He added that he had meant to say that Start was a "health Nazi".
Gaunt, who also writes a weekly column for the Sun newspaper, also called the councillor an "ignorant pig" during the live discussion on his weekday morning show.
TalkSport, which received an undisclosed number of complaints over the broadcast, will replace Gaunt with Ian Collins, who has been filling in since Gaunt's suspension two weeks ago pending the investigation.
Adoption and care homes are issues close to Gaunt's heart after he had first hand experience as a teenager, when he spent part of his early teens in care. Gaunt also tacked the subject of Redbridge banning smokers from fostering children in his Sun column on November 7.
Gaunt wrote: "This is the same warped logic that condemns black children to a life in care rather than let them be fostered by white couples. The same master race philosophy that forbids fat couples from adopting.
"The SS -- that is social services by the way -- think the risk from passive smoking is more dangerous to a child than them being left to rot in a children's home.
"Today it's Redbridge but, unless we all make a noise now, tomorrow it will be a national policy and thousands more children will fall victim to the health-and-safety Nazis and be left in a home alone."
Gaunt's agent, Nick Canham, told The Independent after the incident that his client's comments had been misrepresented.
In May, TalkSport sacked veteran presenter James Whale after he breached Ofcom's impartiality rules when he urged listeners to "vote Boris" for London mayor in his regular late night talk show.
Comments
A great loss to Talksport - 'Gaunty' speaks the mind of most decent citizens - not just white van man. He has common sense and nouse and is a straight - talking guy.
I wonder how much his sacking is due to the high profile Ross/Brand debacle?
John will turn up somewhere on radio or TV.
'Health-Nazi', 'Health fascist', 'PC gone mad' - these terms are thrown around willy nilly by people in public positions who should know better \(such as Gaunt). 'Nazi' and 'Health' just do not go together. I know it's hard to get the right foster parents, but why subject kids to smoking when it can be avoided? That's all it's about. Just takes a bit of thought. Now, Gaunt has plenty of time on his hands to do just that...joining a long line of foot-in-mouthers, from Ron Atkinson to Jonathan Ross. Though it doesn't appear to have done Boris Johnson any harm.
It makes you wonder if the classic Seinfeld episode Soup Nazi would have been made in this present climate.
As an ignorant pig I find being compared to a Redbridge councillor deeply offensive. I suspect many Nazis will feel similarly slighted.
It had to happen. 'Gaunty' (the fact that he calls himself that tells me a lot) has for a long time believed himself to be a national treasure. He and his ilk -Littlejohn and Whale in particular - are so wrapped up in their self-appointed man-of-the-people and voice-of-reason crap that they, at some point, overstep the mark. They do it because they think that the great unwashed will protect them. I don't listen to 'Gaunty' on Talksport but have the misfortune to hear his rants when (for some reason which is beyond me) he is asked to 'review' the papers on the breakfast spot. And that is more than enough.
But at least you're not legally forced to pay his salary
I am amazed at some of the crass comments made in criticism of' Gaunty'. Granted, he sometimes goes a bit over the top and is slightly too dismissive of less articulate callers, but..... his sentiments on what is wrong in the UK today hit the button bang on and are consistent with what the millions think but are reluctant to say because they fear they will be branded as bigots, xenophobes etc by the self appointed 'thought police' who infest the media and public sector today and regard anyone who disagrees with them as a dinosaur. All power to Gaunty, Littlejohn and anyone else prepared to speak out on behalf of the forgotten majority against those seeking to destroy the traditions and fabric which once made us GREAT Britain
Great points Peter. I totally agree with you. Shame on Talksport for not sticking by their man.
Jeremy - no one is legally forced to pay presenters' salaries \(or their TV licence). We can all decide whether we want to own and watch TVs. But I understand your point.
Peter - interesting surname.
Oliver - you're being pedantic. If I want to take out a BSkyB sub to watch their channels, I am required to buy a TV licence to pay for the BBC. It's a pretty weak argument to say we have a choice in owning and watching TVs. This may surprise you, but there are actually other things to watch and do on a TV other than watch the BBC's rubbish. So there is actually little choice in the matter at the end of the day.
Oliver - without seeming to rise to the bait, my name is coincidental, spelt differently and completely unrelated to Max 9 \(and therefore Oswald!).My main concern is that bat some point the majority needs to assert itself against the cancer spreading through our country in the guise of liberalism, human rights, health and safety and all the other devices being used to control and suppress individual liberty and responsibility. I repeat, all power to the likes of Gaunty, Littlejohn, and here's a mention for Rod Liddle - very good piece in the Sunday Times on 16 Nov re Public Sector noses in trough, which is another aspect of the main issue we're discussing, and one which no doubt Gaunty would be covering if he hadn't been gagged.
Well said Peter.
http://www.no2id.net/
Yes, Martin, I'm sure those fun-packed Sky 3 schedules fill the long winter nights far better than the BBC ever could. Shame on them.
Oh, and Peter - the majority asserts itself roughly every four years at a General Election ... unless you think there's another majority out there, like some form of electoral dark matter, waiting for Littlejohn's word so it can unleash its moral outrage.
ormiston - you are obviously correct that there is a general election every 4 years or so and this represents a degree of opportunity to deliver a verdict on the merits of the incumbent government against the alternative. After the Bliar and Brown tragi comedy there can be little doubt what the result will be in 2010,notwithstanding the current poll recovery which Brown has skilfully manipulated. But I'm not convinced that the Tories will do any better, as they seem to be just as much in thrall to the PC brigade, Bruxelles and the various minority pressure groups. My point is that our main political parties are not delivering what the country needs, and we are in the grip of a bureaucracy and media industry infested with those whose aim is the dismantling of our way of life - I don't for a second suggest that this was perfect, but it was a damn sight better than what we have and where we're heading. You can sneer all you like at those who speak out, but they are entitled to exercise the right to free speech until they are forcibly silenced as has happened to John Gaunt. Those engaged in destroying us do not take kindly to being exposed for what they are.
Peter
Beyond what's clearly a keenly felt sense of moral outrage, what makes you think there's a majority out there who seriously think their way of life is being dismantled and who think Jon Gaunt best espouses what this country "needs"?
It's that kind of frothing hyperbole that has turned Littlejohn and Gaunt into the weird media grotesques they now are, forever railing about gay marriage and a PC world gone mad. Who, exactly, do you think is out to destroy us, and how are they going about it, beacuse I can't see it happening.
BTW, while I sympathise that Gaunt's comment seems a trivial one to lose one's job over, no-one's curtailing his right to free speech, they're merely exercising their rights as employers, rights I assume libertarians like you would normally agree with -- after all, we don't want employee rights snarling up the wheels of industry, do we?
ormiston - sadly your personalised derogatory references to messrs Littlejohn and Gaunt typefy the way in which the 'liberals' seek to put down those they class as dinosaurs; not suggesting you are among them of course. You instance gay marriage, a travesty if ever there was one, and as for PC gone mad the examples of this are legion such that even I am lost for words here.....Paranoid I may be, but I believe the media, and certainly the machinery of government, i.e the bureaucracy which actually runs the country much more so than the ephemeral politicians, are infested with people who are hostile to all things traditionally British, and are prepared to tolerate, indeed encourage and promote, anything which diminishes it - all in the name of so-called progress and the development of 'Society'. As far as employee rights are concerned, I'm not sure where you're coming from. Employee rights, much increased through EU diktats, already cause huge disruption to Management's ability to run companies, and yes I do know what I'm talking about. What has happened with Gaunt is that he's been deprived of his job because he expressed a perfectly legitimate opinion about some bureaucrat in Redbridge \( a hotbed of PC by the way),though admittedly in fairly provocative language. It pales into insignificance by comparison with what the odious J Ross did - who will no doubt be reinstated after his slap pon the wrist and a 3 month suspension. I am in danger of getting dragged into a far wider discussion than I originally intended when expressing my disgust at the pusillanimous action of Talk Sport Management in dumping one of the Station's major assets over a storm in the proverbial teapot. I will continue if you really want to, but am happy to call it a draw if you are; I'm even beginning to bore myself!
Please enlighten me as to why gay marriage is a travesty, Peter. Feel free keep the answer short. For instance, "I'm homophobic".
Personalised derogatory remarks again, what a shame you jumped straight at the bait. I simply feel that homosexuality should be tolerated but not promoted, it is after all unnatural. I hold out little hope you will see that as a reasonable and civilised position however. Matthew Parris is a good example of one who makes no secret of his orientation but does not seek to flaunt it and make heteros feel in some way out of step; contrast this with the likes of Elton John and Julian Clary. Get the point? - I doubt it. Sorry if this is a bit long for you; I feel obliged to try to explain rather than simply resort to insults.Call it a day, why don't you, you bore me almost as much as I bore myself.
No, of course I don't get the point because the point is rooted in bigotry. Allowing two people who love each-other to cement their relationship in the eyes of the law isn't "promoting" homosexuality. People aren't gay because of fashion, advertising or peer pressure; they don't choose to be -- they simply are. Aside from being grossly offensive, to say homosexuality is unnatural is to be blind to years of behavioural evidence to the contrary. Who the hell are you to say what's natural and unnatural?
Finally flushed you out ormy. Signing off, enjoy your life
If gorilla's form an all male group then they start having sex with eachother.
Jon Gaunt was a bit rude at times but he brought up issues that many stations would not touch. I think that Talk Sport is just going down the P.C/liberal way and not sticking up for their presenters this is a shame as it was at one time a very good listen.
People who send in complaints after hearing something they don't like are very sad individuals and should get a life. Don't be offended on other peoples behalf. This leads to Christmas being called 'Winterfest' so as it will not offend Muslims?? what is going on.
Muslims are not offended by this.
Gaunty was spot on about Shami Chakribati \(don't know the correct spelling) she represents a small number of people but pops up all over the BBC with her views.
Has anyone considered that Gaunty, Whaley and Littlejohnny are just being deliberately controversial in order to get people to phone in? These guys will very often contradict themselves from one caller to the next. Just listen to the incendiary rant that each performs upon opening their shows. It is all designed to keep people listening and calling in, not about being 'the voice of the people'.
Can you imagine working for a company that has a little more than 600
employees and has the following employee statistics ..
29 have been accused of spouse abuse
7 have been arrested for fraud
9 have been accused of writing bad cheques
17 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses
3 have done time for assault
71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
14 have been arrested on drug-related charges
8 have been arrested for shoplifting
21 are currently defendants in lawsuits
84 have been arrested for drink driving in the last year
Which organisation is this?
It's the 635 members of the House of Commons,
the same group that cranks out hundreds of new laws each
year designed to keep the rest of us inline.
ARE'NT THESE THE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE SACKED.
but yet all we can do is find time to slate people who are trying to voice an opinion of the masses. i didnt always agree with JG but that was the choice i make as an adult. Sue turner how can you make such a ridiculous comment on JG. You hear him for 5 mins on the tv but dont listen to him for 3 hours on his then show. but seem to think you have a rounded opinion of him.
JG often opened his mind whilst on his show and often apologised. it seems to me that JG has become a victim of this kids gloves society that the pc brigade are trying to create. the very society that people like JG can see is being to get the blood boiling of the working class man.
Comments
ANDY SELLERS - 19/11/2008
A great loss to Talksport - 'Gaunty' speaks the mind of most decent citizens - not just white van man. He has common sense and nouse and is a straight - talking guy. I wonder how much his sacking is due to the high profile Ross/Brand debacle? John will turn up somewhere on radio or TV.
Mark Griffiths - 19/11/2008
'Health-Nazi', 'Health fascist', 'PC gone mad' - these terms are thrown around willy nilly by people in public positions who should know better \(such as Gaunt). 'Nazi' and 'Health' just do not go together. I know it's hard to get the right foster parents, but why subject kids to smoking when it can be avoided? That's all it's about. Just takes a bit of thought. Now, Gaunt has plenty of time on his hands to do just that...joining a long line of foot-in-mouthers, from Ron Atkinson to Jonathan Ross. Though it doesn't appear to have done Boris Johnson any harm.
Cameron Yarde Jnr - 19/11/2008
It makes you wonder if the classic Seinfeld episode Soup Nazi would have been made in this present climate.
marcus evans - 19/11/2008
As an ignorant pig I find being compared to a Redbridge councillor deeply offensive. I suspect many Nazis will feel similarly slighted.
sue turner - 19/11/2008
It had to happen. 'Gaunty' (the fact that he calls himself that tells me a lot) has for a long time believed himself to be a national treasure. He and his ilk -Littlejohn and Whale in particular - are so wrapped up in their self-appointed man-of-the-people and voice-of-reason crap that they, at some point, overstep the mark. They do it because they think that the great unwashed will protect them. I don't listen to 'Gaunty' on Talksport but have the misfortune to hear his rants when (for some reason which is beyond me) he is asked to 'review' the papers on the breakfast spot. And that is more than enough.
Jeremy Lee - 19/11/2008
But at least you're not legally forced to pay his salary
Peter Moseley - 19/11/2008
I am amazed at some of the crass comments made in criticism of' Gaunty'. Granted, he sometimes goes a bit over the top and is slightly too dismissive of less articulate callers, but..... his sentiments on what is wrong in the UK today hit the button bang on and are consistent with what the millions think but are reluctant to say because they fear they will be branded as bigots, xenophobes etc by the self appointed 'thought police' who infest the media and public sector today and regard anyone who disagrees with them as a dinosaur. All power to Gaunty, Littlejohn and anyone else prepared to speak out on behalf of the forgotten majority against those seeking to destroy the traditions and fabric which once made us GREAT Britain
Martin Corcoran - 19/11/2008
Great points Peter. I totally agree with you. Shame on Talksport for not sticking by their man.
Oliver Gandy - 19/11/2008
Jeremy - no one is legally forced to pay presenters' salaries \(or their TV licence). We can all decide whether we want to own and watch TVs. But I understand your point. Peter - interesting surname.
Martin Corcoran - 19/11/2008
Oliver - you're being pedantic. If I want to take out a BSkyB sub to watch their channels, I am required to buy a TV licence to pay for the BBC. It's a pretty weak argument to say we have a choice in owning and watching TVs. This may surprise you, but there are actually other things to watch and do on a TV other than watch the BBC's rubbish. So there is actually little choice in the matter at the end of the day.
Peter Moseley - 19/11/2008
Oliver - without seeming to rise to the bait, my name is coincidental, spelt differently and completely unrelated to Max 9 \(and therefore Oswald!).My main concern is that bat some point the majority needs to assert itself against the cancer spreading through our country in the guise of liberalism, human rights, health and safety and all the other devices being used to control and suppress individual liberty and responsibility. I repeat, all power to the likes of Gaunty, Littlejohn, and here's a mention for Rod Liddle - very good piece in the Sunday Times on 16 Nov re Public Sector noses in trough, which is another aspect of the main issue we're discussing, and one which no doubt Gaunty would be covering if he hadn't been gagged.
Martin Corcoran - 19/11/2008
Well said Peter. http://www.no2id.net/
ormiston groove - 20/11/2008
Yes, Martin, I'm sure those fun-packed Sky 3 schedules fill the long winter nights far better than the BBC ever could. Shame on them.
ormiston groove - 20/11/2008
Oh, and Peter - the majority asserts itself roughly every four years at a General Election ... unless you think there's another majority out there, like some form of electoral dark matter, waiting for Littlejohn's word so it can unleash its moral outrage.
Peter Moseley - 20/11/2008
ormiston - you are obviously correct that there is a general election every 4 years or so and this represents a degree of opportunity to deliver a verdict on the merits of the incumbent government against the alternative. After the Bliar and Brown tragi comedy there can be little doubt what the result will be in 2010,notwithstanding the current poll recovery which Brown has skilfully manipulated. But I'm not convinced that the Tories will do any better, as they seem to be just as much in thrall to the PC brigade, Bruxelles and the various minority pressure groups. My point is that our main political parties are not delivering what the country needs, and we are in the grip of a bureaucracy and media industry infested with those whose aim is the dismantling of our way of life - I don't for a second suggest that this was perfect, but it was a damn sight better than what we have and where we're heading. You can sneer all you like at those who speak out, but they are entitled to exercise the right to free speech until they are forcibly silenced as has happened to John Gaunt. Those engaged in destroying us do not take kindly to being exposed for what they are.
ormiston groove - 20/11/2008
Peter Beyond what's clearly a keenly felt sense of moral outrage, what makes you think there's a majority out there who seriously think their way of life is being dismantled and who think Jon Gaunt best espouses what this country "needs"? It's that kind of frothing hyperbole that has turned Littlejohn and Gaunt into the weird media grotesques they now are, forever railing about gay marriage and a PC world gone mad. Who, exactly, do you think is out to destroy us, and how are they going about it, beacuse I can't see it happening. BTW, while I sympathise that Gaunt's comment seems a trivial one to lose one's job over, no-one's curtailing his right to free speech, they're merely exercising their rights as employers, rights I assume libertarians like you would normally agree with -- after all, we don't want employee rights snarling up the wheels of industry, do we?
Peter Moseley - 20/11/2008
ormiston - sadly your personalised derogatory references to messrs Littlejohn and Gaunt typefy the way in which the 'liberals' seek to put down those they class as dinosaurs; not suggesting you are among them of course. You instance gay marriage, a travesty if ever there was one, and as for PC gone mad the examples of this are legion such that even I am lost for words here.....Paranoid I may be, but I believe the media, and certainly the machinery of government, i.e the bureaucracy which actually runs the country much more so than the ephemeral politicians, are infested with people who are hostile to all things traditionally British, and are prepared to tolerate, indeed encourage and promote, anything which diminishes it - all in the name of so-called progress and the development of 'Society'. As far as employee rights are concerned, I'm not sure where you're coming from. Employee rights, much increased through EU diktats, already cause huge disruption to Management's ability to run companies, and yes I do know what I'm talking about. What has happened with Gaunt is that he's been deprived of his job because he expressed a perfectly legitimate opinion about some bureaucrat in Redbridge \( a hotbed of PC by the way),though admittedly in fairly provocative language. It pales into insignificance by comparison with what the odious J Ross did - who will no doubt be reinstated after his slap pon the wrist and a 3 month suspension. I am in danger of getting dragged into a far wider discussion than I originally intended when expressing my disgust at the pusillanimous action of Talk Sport Management in dumping one of the Station's major assets over a storm in the proverbial teapot. I will continue if you really want to, but am happy to call it a draw if you are; I'm even beginning to bore myself!
ormiston groove - 21/11/2008
Please enlighten me as to why gay marriage is a travesty, Peter. Feel free keep the answer short. For instance, "I'm homophobic".
Peter Moseley - 21/11/2008
Personalised derogatory remarks again, what a shame you jumped straight at the bait. I simply feel that homosexuality should be tolerated but not promoted, it is after all unnatural. I hold out little hope you will see that as a reasonable and civilised position however. Matthew Parris is a good example of one who makes no secret of his orientation but does not seek to flaunt it and make heteros feel in some way out of step; contrast this with the likes of Elton John and Julian Clary. Get the point? - I doubt it. Sorry if this is a bit long for you; I feel obliged to try to explain rather than simply resort to insults.Call it a day, why don't you, you bore me almost as much as I bore myself.
ormiston groove - 21/11/2008
No, of course I don't get the point because the point is rooted in bigotry. Allowing two people who love each-other to cement their relationship in the eyes of the law isn't "promoting" homosexuality. People aren't gay because of fashion, advertising or peer pressure; they don't choose to be -- they simply are. Aside from being grossly offensive, to say homosexuality is unnatural is to be blind to years of behavioural evidence to the contrary. Who the hell are you to say what's natural and unnatural?
Peter Moseley - 21/11/2008
Finally flushed you out ormy. Signing off, enjoy your life
ormiston groove - 24/11/2008
oh, a troll.
Justin Driskill - 24/11/2008
If gorilla's form an all male group then they start having sex with eachother.
stewart gemmell - 26/11/2008
Jon Gaunt was a bit rude at times but he brought up issues that many stations would not touch. I think that Talk Sport is just going down the P.C/liberal way and not sticking up for their presenters this is a shame as it was at one time a very good listen. People who send in complaints after hearing something they don't like are very sad individuals and should get a life. Don't be offended on other peoples behalf. This leads to Christmas being called 'Winterfest' so as it will not offend Muslims?? what is going on. Muslims are not offended by this. Gaunty was spot on about Shami Chakribati \(don't know the correct spelling) she represents a small number of people but pops up all over the BBC with her views.
Mike Blunt - 26/11/2008
Has anyone considered that Gaunty, Whaley and Littlejohnny are just being deliberately controversial in order to get people to phone in? These guys will very often contradict themselves from one caller to the next. Just listen to the incendiary rant that each performs upon opening their shows. It is all designed to keep people listening and calling in, not about being 'the voice of the people'.
neil meadows - 15/04/2009
Can you imagine working for a company that has a little more than 600 employees and has the following employee statistics .. 29 have been accused of spouse abuse 7 have been arrested for fraud 9 have been accused of writing bad cheques 17 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses 3 have done time for assault 71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit 14 have been arrested on drug-related charges 8 have been arrested for shoplifting 21 are currently defendants in lawsuits 84 have been arrested for drink driving in the last year Which organisation is this? It's the 635 members of the House of Commons, the same group that cranks out hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us inline. ARE'NT THESE THE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE SACKED. but yet all we can do is find time to slate people who are trying to voice an opinion of the masses. i didnt always agree with JG but that was the choice i make as an adult. Sue turner how can you make such a ridiculous comment on JG. You hear him for 5 mins on the tv but dont listen to him for 3 hours on his then show. but seem to think you have a rounded opinion of him. JG often opened his mind whilst on his show and often apologised. it seems to me that JG has become a victim of this kids gloves society that the pc brigade are trying to create. the very society that people like JG can see is being to get the blood boiling of the working class man.