Presenter Mike Graham has been fired from Digital Channel Talktv, after the company did not cooperate with a racist post that appeared on one of his social media accounts.
Graham, 65, was suspended by the broadcaster, which is owned by News ModOch UK, after concerns were raised about the message, which was posted on his Facebook account last month.
The post featured a photo of a statue of Winston Churchill, alongside a photo of a packed London Intlish Train. It has the caption:
The former editor of the Scottish Daily Mirror has since deleted the post and said the racist comment was the result of his account being hacked.
Graham, who also presents the Plank of the Week Podcast, wrote on his X account at the time: “On Sunday accessed and a malicious message was posted on my page without my knowledge.
“It contains words that I do not write and an opinion that I do not share. When I found out I immediately destroyed the post and took steps to ensure my cyber security.
“Obviously I’m mortified that such a post could appear in my name and now that I’m trying to figure out how it could have happened. I’m forever sorry for any grief it caused.”
However, staff were informed on Wednesday that he would not be returning to the channel, with bosses saying they had become “deeply concerned” by his alleged repeated failures to co-operate with a post investigation.
The News UK said in a statement: “A disgusting and veiled post appeared on Mike Graham’s PACEBOOK PROBLEM in October. He said he was working with an independent forensic firm.
“Later he saved several opportunities to cooperate with the company’s investigation.
“We are deeply concerned by his repeated failure to cooperate in such a serious matter and the decision has been taken that Mike Graham will not speak again.”
Graham has been contacted for comment.
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The presenter had previously caused difficulties for the channel’s bosses. In 2022, TalktTV apologized for Graham’s assumption that a mental health charity funded the legal fees of asylum seekers.
Thought complained about the claims, which it said were “simply wrong”, and explained that it was never approached for comment on the new channel.
In an on-air apology, the admission speech was admitted during the show where it was said that “it is questioned why the various organizations, which give funds to a charity called migrants
“We did not think of a chance to respond in time and are happy to do so now,” it said. “We regret any confusion the discussion about the show caused.”