Black eye for Humphrys over punchline about hitting women
JOHN HUMPHRYS, presenter of the Today radio programme, was yesterday accused by Jane Garvey, his BBC colleague, of making light of domestic violence after he joked on-air about a tango dancer punching his wife.
Humphrys was continuing an interview with David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, following a break for the news headlines which included a story about the alleged attack. He said to Mr Davis: “I promise not to punch you if you don’t punch me.”
The segment, broadcast on Radio 4 yesterday morning was immediately criticised by Garvey, who said she had “no words” for it. Responding to numerous listener complaints on social media, Garvey, who presents Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, said: “I did hear this – no words. To be fair, news bulletins are not written by programme teams.”
Chris Bryant MP said it was “time to go” for Humphrys, while broadcaster Kay Burley said: “Domestic violence is not a laughing matter.” Sandra Horley, of the charity Refuge, said: “Domestic abuse is never a joke, is never acceptable, and should never be normalised.”
The BBC declined to comment on the latest of several controversies about Today and Humphrys, who is leaving the programme later this year.
The news story related to the world tango championships in Argentina, where Russian dancer Kirill Parshakov was disqualified after he was allegedly seen punching his partner, Anna Gudyno, with whom he has two children.
Parshakov had said on Facebook that they were removed from the contest after a dispute fuelled by “overflowing adrenalin”. He said: “I couldn’t cope with my emotions, and people saw me more or less aggressive and interpreted these emotions incorrectly.”
Humphrys was heard chuckling as the news item finished and, referring to his imminent departure from the programme, Mr Davis said: “I guess this is our last tango.”
Humphrys replied: “It is indeed but I promise not to punch you if you don’t punch me.”
As the interview ended, the politician said: “Our last tango was very pleasant and neither of us punched each other.”
Sarah Hilary, a writer, said: “Woman’s Hour often covers stories on domestic violence. This is like Mum preaching decency only for Dad to come home drunk, kick over the tables and punch the kids. I’m sick of it, and imagine you must be too. Time something was done, surely?”
Kay Burley, the Sky News broadcaster, said: “I have always found David Davis to be staggeringly sexist but was shocked by John Humphrys.”
Ms Horley said: “It is disappointing that in 2019 violence against women and girls is still being trivialised rather than challenged.
“Domestic abuse is never a joke, is never acceptable, and should never be normalised.
“Two women a week are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales, and Refuge is currently supporting 6,500 survivors of abuse.”
Last week, Humphrys was accused of sexism when he said that women do a better job as caregivers than men.