TalkSport DJ caught up in BNP membership leak

Lucas, who has covered late-night shifts for the station this year, was listed among more than 12,000 BNP supporters on an internet blog posted on Sunday night.

The list has since appeared on the website Wikileaks, which is currently offline due to high volumes of traffic, and BitTorrent.

His name, address, mobile number and email address were listed, along with his occupation as "media: radio/TV production" and the note "will not be renewing 07".

A TalkSport spokesman said earlier today: "We were not aware of his membership of the BNP until today. We have no plans to use Rod Lucas in the immediate future."

However, a TalkSport producer has heard from Lucas since the story broke with an explanation of his involvement, prompting the station to release an additional statement.

"Rod Lucas has told TalkSport that as a freelance journalist, he and three colleagues joined the BNP whilst researching a story. As well as joining the BNP, Rod also joined 22 other organisations including the Animal Liberation Front, the Communist Party, the Anti-Vivisection movement, PDSA, Save the Panda amongst others.

"Rod Lucas would like to make it clear that he does not and has never supported the British National Party.

"Contrary to reports, talkSPORT would like to clarify that Lucas was not ‘sacked' as was reported.  He is a freelance presenter whom the station has used on an ad hoc basis."

It has been an eventful day for the station. This morning it sacked presenter Jon Gaunt for calling a London councillor a "Nazi" on his show on November 7, in relation to Redbridge council's plans to prevent smokers from fostering children.

Gaunt is reportedly preparing to sue the station over his dismissal. He claims that he had meant to call the councillor a "health Nazi" and made an on-air apology following the remark.

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Read: BNP membership list and Google mash-ups on Gordon's Republic blog