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BBC host replaced over phone call BBC host replaced in 'racism' row
(about 5 hours later)
BBC Radio Bristol has replaced afternoon presenter Sam Mason after "unacceptable" comments made during a phone conversation. A BBC radio presenter has been replaced over allegedly racist comments made during an off-air phone conversation.
Miss Mason, who took over the weekday afternoon programme six weeks ago, was suspended on Friday. Sam Mason, who took over the BBC Radio Bristol weekday afternoon programme six weeks ago, was suspended on Friday.
She was informed by station bosses on Saturday that she would no longer be working for the BBC.She was informed by station bosses on Saturday that she would no longer be working for the BBC.
It follows comments made off-air during a telephone call to a Bristol taxi company which was recorded. According to The Sun newspaper, Miss Mason allegedly told a Bristol taxi firm "not to send an Asian driver to pick up her daughter".
The paper said Miss Mason, 40, told a cab operator: "A guy with a turban on is going to freak her out."
Worker 'outraged'
When her request was refused, she is alleged to have said: "You've managed it before."
The taxi worker was said to be outraged and recorded the conversation.
Miss Mason is reported to have called the taxi firm off-air as she played a song on her afternoon show.
A transcript of the conversation, published in The Sun, records how she ordered a taxi to take her 14-year-old from her Clifton house to her grandparents' home.
A BBC spokesman said: "Although Sam Mason's remarks were not made on-air, her comments were completely unacceptable and, for that reason, she has been informed that she will no longer be working for the BBC with immediate effect."A BBC spokesman said: "Although Sam Mason's remarks were not made on-air, her comments were completely unacceptable and, for that reason, she has been informed that she will no longer be working for the BBC with immediate effect."
Sam Mason was not available for comment.