Radio host ‘sacked over election bid’

A BBC radio presenter says he has been sacked by the corporation for planning to stand against Jacob Rees-mogg at the next general election.

Dr Phil Hammond said he had been assured he could continue to broadcast Saturday Surgery on Radio Bristol after announcing on television in July he had been endorsed by the National Health Action Party to contest North East Somerset. But he said yesterday he has been dismissed from the programme he has fronted for the past 12 years.