Channel 4 news presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy has been suspended for a week after insulting a UK minister of state. Guru-Murthy, after what he called a “robust interview” with Steve Baker, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, uttered a strong swear word: “What ac***.” can be heard on a recording shortly after the interview. The moderator thought the recording was over, but a clip of the insult has been circulating on social media since Wednesday evening.
The broadcaster responded immediately. Guru-Murthy violated the “strict code of conduct for all his employees,” according to a statement by Channel 4. That same evening, the moderator apologized to the Minister of State on Twitter: “Although it was not broadcast, this word is in any context below the standards I have set for myself and I apologize unreservedly.”
Steve Baker accepted the apology. He appreciates the gesture, Baker wrote, also on Twitter. He had previously found the presenter’s suspension legitimate at Times Radio, calling it a “public service.” According to the broadcaster, the suspension is initially for one week.