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| 'Racism' row BBC host is replaced | |
| (1 day later) | |
| A BBC radio presenter has been replaced over allegedly racist comments made during an off-air phone conversation. | A BBC radio presenter has been replaced over allegedly racist comments made during an off-air phone conversation. |
| Sam Mason, who took over the BBC Radio Bristol 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. |
| According to The Sun newspaper, Miss Mason allegedly told a Bristol taxi firm "not to send an Asian driver to pick up her daughter". | 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." | The paper said Miss Mason, 40, told a cab operator: "A guy with a turban on is going to freak her out." |
| Worker 'outraged' | Worker 'outraged' |
| When her request was refused, she is alleged to have said: "You've managed it before." | 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. | The taxi worker was said to be outraged and recorded the conversation. |
| The cab firm involved in the row issued a statement on Tuesday evening revealing that the employee who took the telephone call from the radio presenter had been sacked. | The cab firm involved in the row issued a statement on Tuesday evening revealing that the employee who took the telephone call from the radio presenter had been sacked. |
| A spokesperson for The Streamline Black and White Taxis said: "We confirm that a telephone call from Radio Bristol presenter Sam Mason to the company was illegally recorded by an employee. | A spokesperson for The Streamline Black and White Taxis said: "We confirm that a telephone call from Radio Bristol presenter Sam Mason to the company was illegally recorded by an employee. |
| "That employee was dismissed for similar offences on 3 November." | "That employee was dismissed for similar offences on 3 November." |
| Miss Mason is reported to have called the taxi firm off-air as she played a song on her afternoon show. | 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 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. | Sam Mason was not available for comment. |