Alan Brazil, the TalkSPORT presenter, has been found in breach of Ofcom's broadcasting code after claiming on air that Glasgow's rat infestation was caused by Asian immigrants. The comments, made during his breakfast show on 18 December 2018, prompted a listener complaint and an investigation by the broadcasting watchdog.
During a discussion about recycling bins, Brazil said: 'I was talking to someone the other day and he came down from a part of Glasgow... things have changed. Because different people move in. And there's a lot of people there let's say from Asian - you know from that part of the world. But they don't, with rice and stuff, they don't store it properly.' He added that a friend had reported a 'horrendous' rat infestation due to 'people just a little bit ignorant when they come in'.
Ofcom ruled that the remarks 'fell short of accepted standards' and had the potential to cause 'harm and offence'. The watchdog noted that TalkSPORT had apologised and removed the segment from its catch-up service, but said there was no timely on-air apology and listeners would have expected 'greater contextualisation'.
TalkSPORT admitted the comments were 'ill-judged' and has since hired a compliance manager. The station escaped a fine, but the breach will be recorded on its licence. An Ofcom spokesperson said: 'Our investigation found that a comment made by the presenter... fell short of accepted standards. The remarks had the potential to cause offence and weren't sufficiently put into context.'
