LBC host says ‘we got our station back’ after Nigel Farage quits
James O'Brien welcomed the news that the Brexit Party leader had quit the radio station amid backlash over his comments on the Black Lives Matter protests.
An LBC presenter tweeted ‘we got our station back’ after it was announced Nigel Farage’s contract was being terminated.
James O’Brien welcomed the news that the Brexit Party leader had quit the radio station amid backlash over his comments on the Black Lives Matter protests.
The pair have previously clashed on-air during an interview which centred on alleged racism in UKIP. Mr O’Brien, who has been critical of Brexit, further rubbed salt in the wounds by tweeting a link to the bust-up and sarcastically writing ‘thoughts and prayers’.
Earlier today, LBC explained that the former UKIP leader’s contract was due to expire ‘very shortly’ and his departure was agreed following discussions.
The radio station tweeted: ‘Nigel Farage’s contract with LBC is up very shortly and, following discussions with him, Nigel is stepping down from LBC with immediate effect.
‘We thank Nigel for the enormous contribution he has made to LBC and wish him well.’
Farage, 56, has hosted his own 6-7pm show from Mondays to Thursdays as well as a mid-morning show on Sundays on LBC since 2017.
It is understood he was the focus of anger within Global Media, which owns LBC as well as a host of other radio stations including Capital, Smooth and Heart.
The Guardian media editor Jim Waterson said Farage’s continued employment on LBC had been the source of disquiet among staff who had been promoting the Black Lives Matter message.
On Tuesday Farage had his microphone muted during an appearance on Good Morning Britain after he defended slave trader Edward Colston and compared Black Lives Matter protesters to terrorists.
He was accused of inciting racism with ‘outrageous’ comments including calling the downing of Colston’s statue in Bristol ‘mob rule’ and comparing anti-racist protests to the Taliban.
Farage’s microphone was cut during clashes with host Piers Morgan as well as fellow guests, lawyer and activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu and historian professor Kate Williams.
Farage is yet to publically comment on his departure but his LBC producer Christian Mitchell said he only heard the news via Twitter.
Some say the station should apologise for hiring him in the first place and allowing him to work there for the past three years.
However, many others have welcomed the move, describing it as ‘long overdue’.
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