Calls for Jon Snow to be sacked after ‘4-letter rant at Tories’
MPs have called for Channel 4 News anchor Jon Snow to be sacked after he apparently shouted ‘f*** the Tories’ during his visit to Glastonbury.
The 69-year- old, who is one of the broadcaster’s biggest names, is alleged to have told revellers, ‘I’m supposed to be neutral’, after his comment about the Conservative Party.
Whilst he insisted he has ‘no recollection’ of making the derogatory remark at the festival, he did not deny the accusations, which circulated on social media.
The claims against him were made by a Twitter user called Danny Millea in a tweet, since deleted, which said: ‘Boss place that Glasto. Having a dance with Jon Snow and hearing him shout f*** the Tories is what dream are made of.’
A photo of Snow posing with a group of men accompanied the post, and was followed by a later message saying: ‘Boss when he turned around just after he got off and sarcastically went, “I’m supposed to be neutral”.’
Although Ofcom rules on impartiality do not govern what journalists can say in their own time, it is not usual for prominent newsreaders or reporters to make their political affiliations known. Last night, Tory MPs insisted Snow should resign or be dismissed immediately for demonstrating ‘completely unacceptable political bias’.
Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire, said: ‘ His position as a serious political interviewer is untenable after that vociferous, deeply offensive outburst. It is time for Channel 4 to tell Jon Snow where to go. How could he possibly interview a Conservative politician after that outburst? It’s disgraceful.
‘He should to the decent thing and resign. If not, he should be sacked, of course.’
Fellow MP Philip Davies, who previously accused Snow of not hiding his political allegiances, said: ‘It is a clear example of political bias, and is completely unacceptable for a publicly-owned, public service broadcaster to be so blatantly partisan.
‘Channel 4 should dismiss him immediately from his position. If they do not, they would be just as guilty as he is.’
Last night, Snow said: ‘ After a day at Glastonbury I can honestly say I have no recollection of what was chanted, sung or who I took over 1,000 selfies with.’
The newsreader has previously been accused of not hiding his political allegiances, most notably during a high-profile spat with Mr Davies in 2014. The MP attacked Snow interrogation during a of select Channel committee 4’s then chairman Lord Burns, saying: ‘Do you think Jon Snow conceals his political allegiances? Are you going to sit there with a straight face and say that?’ Snow’s supposed outburst at Glastonbury was far from the only political message at the festival, as leader Jeremy Corbyn and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell both gave speeches.
Deputy leader Tom Watson, former shadow chancellor Ed Balls and Labour MP Yvette Cooper also attended.
The BBC was accused of fuelling ‘left-wing propaganda’ for broadcasting Mr Corbyn’s appearance on the Pyramid Stage, during which he spoke about the need to help the ‘poverty-stricken’.
He was greeted by chants of ‘Oh! Je-re-my Cor-byn’, to the tune of the White Stripes’ song Seven Nation Army. Afterwards, BBC Radio 1’s Twitter account wrote that he had ‘aced’ it – before the comment was swiftly deleted.
Mr McDonnell prompted outrage during his speech in the Left Field tent when he said victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy were ‘murdered by political decisions’.
Channel 4 declined to comment.