A BBC Northern Ireland reporter has been suspended after criticising the broadcaster's decision to allow Tyson Fury to remain on the list of nominees for the BBC Personality of the Year award. A campaign to have Fury's name removed has been steadily growing over the past number of weeks.
His ascent to the top of the world heavyweight pile brought about increased interest in his personal views. That situation has only increased since his nomination for the SPOTY prize and now over 120,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the British state broadcaster to reverse their decision.
The BBC have said that won't happen and the controversy continued yesterday when Greg Rutherford confirmed he had considered pulling his name from the list of nominees in protest at Fury's inclusion. The controversy has taken another step forward today after BBC reporter Andy West this week took to his personal Facebook page to share his feelings about Fury's much discussed views on homosexuality.
My employer is hurting me and other gay people by celebrating someone who considers me no better than a paedophile and who believes homosexual people are helping to bring about the end of the world.
It’s tempting to see him for the laughable idiot he is but sadly there are many other idiots who will be inspired and encouraged by his naive, juvenile bigotry. I am ashamed to work for the BBC when it lacks bravery to admit it is making a mistake.
That Facebook post became public knowledge and West has since shared the following message on Twitter earlier on Thursday.
I can't say more but, as of yesterday, I am suspended by the BBC pending investigation. I made my bed now I have time to lie in it!
— A.J.West (@AJWestAuthor) December 10, 2015
The Sports Personality of the Year award will be held in Belfast on December 20th.
