BBC racing commentator ‘promoted gambling site’

THE BBC has ruled that one of its racing commentators did not breach guidelines on integrity after a complaint that he promoted a gambling site wearing his branded BBC jacket.

John Hunt discussed racing tips in a series of social media videos for a Twitter account which linked to a website called aintree.co.uk. Despite its name, the site is not affiliated with the racecourse owned by the Jockey Club.

In one of the videos, the BBC Sport logo was clearly visible on Hunt’s jacket. The videos were recorded during the Grand National Festival at Aintree, which Mr Hunt, a freelancer, was covering for the BBC.

Yet the BBC’s executive complaints

‘To work in that environment when they also work for the BBC puts them in a precarious position’

unit ruled there was “nothing [that] suggested that Mr Hunt’s work for Aintree.co.uk might reasonably be perceived as affecting the BBC’s impartiality or integrity or putting the BBC’s reputation at risk.”

BBC Sport management accepted that Mr Hunt’s appearance in the branded jacket “had the potential to suggest BBC endorsement of a commercial product”. Mr Hunt’s bosses had “discussed the issue” with him and the matter was considered resolved.

Carolyn Harris MP, chair of the allparty Parliamentary group on Gambling Related Harm said: “I would like to think this individual is unaware of the harms caused by gambling, and give them the benefit of the doubt.

“They are being used by an industry to promote an activity that for a minority is so dangerous.

“To work in that environment when they also work for the BBC puts them in a very precarious position. The BBC looks guilty by association.”