BBC manager sent email advising to ‘sack' presenter

Jack Murley was dismissed from BBC Radio Cornwall in 2024

A BBC manager said he would "sack" a presenter and “soak up the tribunal costs” after his social media comments "spilled on air".

Jack Murley was dismissed from BBC Radio Cornwall in 2024 after breaching the corporation's guidelines.

The presenter claimed he was discriminated against for being gay and a member of a trade union.

BBC manager Tim Burke told a tribunal in Exeter that he regretted the wording of the email, sent to another senior member of the BBC, and said it reflected his “fury” after hearing the presenter’s behaviour on the radio.

Mr Burke is responsible for maintaining editorial standards across BBC England and ensuring consistent compliance with policies and guidelines.

He told the tribunal Mr Murley had “pinged up on my radar and remained there” since 2019.

The BBC claimed social media posts by Mr Murley that used sexual language were not appropriate, as presenters must not say anything on social media that they would not say on air.

Mr Murley, an NUJ representative since 2022, also posted on social media about the BBC’s Local Value For All proposals, which involved changes to local radio.

The BBC said this breached the organisation's guidelines as they failed to provide “due impartiality”.

Mr Burke said he was asked to listen to and provide an opinion on Mr Murley’s Loosest Goose radio feature on 11 June 2023.

The tribunal heard that the feature contained a lot of innuendo and satire.

Mr Burke said: “I was shocked by Jack’s conduct live on air, broadcasting criticism of the BBC and ridicule of BBC managers to our audience through a BBC platform, and exploiting the BBC’s trust in him as a broadcaster.

“This was the first time I had ever dealt with an individual whose social media misconduct had carried over to the BBC’s live broadcasting activities.”

He added that he was “frustrated” with Mr Murley after this.

“Jack was crossing the line in a considerable and flagrant way,” he said.

Following this Mr Burke sent the email advising to “sack” Mr Murley, which he admitted he now regretted the wording.

'My decision'

Nick Toms, representing Mr Murley, said: “You are targeting him for his trade union activities.”

Mr Burke replied: “No that is simply not the case, I would rather not have to deal with these things.”

“You were asked for your considered opinion over email,” Mr Toms said.

“I was asked for my opinion and I gave it,” Mr Burke said.

Tomos Livingstone, a senior news editor, took on the disciplinary hearing against Mr Murley and decided the charge was gross misconduct.

At the tribunal Mr Toms put to him: “It had long been decided it was gross misconduct and not by you.”

He added that managers had made the decision and targeted Mr Murley.

Mr Livingstone said “no” and insisted he considered the breaches of editorial and social media guidelines that were presented to him.

He said the guidelines “are a condition in your contract when you are employed at the BBC” and breaching them amounts to a breach in contract ,and therefore gross misconduct.

“It’s my decision at the end of the day as the hearing manager,” Mr Livingstone said.

Mr Toms pushed back on this highlighting a social media post where Mr Murley said he was defending himself against homophobia.

“You are discriminating against him for his sexual orientation, he was responding to abuse,” Mr Toms said.

Mr Livingstone said: “Yes, he is responding to abuse but there is no get out clause for following the guidelines.”

The tribunal continues.