This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/aug/13/bbc-removes-recording-of-dj-saying-breastfeeding-in-public-must-stop-alex-dyke

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
BBC removes recording of DJ saying breastfeeding in public 'must stop' BBC suspends DJ who said breastfeeding in public 'must stop'
(35 minutes later)
The BBC has removed a recording of a show in which a radio DJ said breastfeeding in public was “unnatural” and “must be stopped” after complaints from listeners and the launch of a petition calling for him to be sacked. The BBC has suspended a radio DJ who said breastfeeding in public was “unnatural” and “must be stopped” after complaints from listeners and the launch of a petition calling for him to be sacked.
Radio Solent DJ Alex Dyke said during a phone-in on his Wednesday morning show that only “librarian-type, moustachioed” women breastfed in public and men who were not repelled by breastfeeding were “wimps”.Radio Solent DJ Alex Dyke said during a phone-in on his Wednesday morning show that only “librarian-type, moustachioed” women breastfed in public and men who were not repelled by breastfeeding were “wimps”.
He also said “yummie mummies” wouldn’t feed their children in public because they “know it is not a good look” and “formula milk is just as good”. Offical NHS guidance recommends breastfeeding for a child’s first six months and says it is the healthiest way to feed a baby.He also said “yummie mummies” wouldn’t feed their children in public because they “know it is not a good look” and “formula milk is just as good”. Offical NHS guidance recommends breastfeeding for a child’s first six months and says it is the healthiest way to feed a baby.
On Thursday afternoon, a petition calling for Dyke to be taken off air had passed 6,000 signatures. The Telegraph reported that the show had received hundreds of comments on social media and on parenting forums.On Thursday afternoon, a petition calling for Dyke to be taken off air had passed 6,000 signatures. The Telegraph reported that the show had received hundreds of comments on social media and on parenting forums.
Regulator Ofcom said it had received 14 complaints and had requested a recording of the show to assess whether to investigate. The BBC refuses to give out numbers of complaints when it suspects “lobbying or media coverage” has encouraged people to complain.Regulator Ofcom said it had received 14 complaints and had requested a recording of the show to assess whether to investigate. The BBC refuses to give out numbers of complaints when it suspects “lobbying or media coverage” has encouraged people to complain.
During his Thursday morning show, Dyke issued an apology. “Yesterday on the show I spoke about breastfeeding,” he said. “The comments I made during the broadcast were unacceptable and I would like to apologise for any offence caused.”During his Thursday morning show, Dyke issued an apology. “Yesterday on the show I spoke about breastfeeding,” he said. “The comments I made during the broadcast were unacceptable and I would like to apologise for any offence caused.”
The BBC said Dyke had been told told his comments were not appropriate and the episode of the show had been removed from iPlayer because it was “unacceptable”.The BBC said Dyke had been told told his comments were not appropriate and the episode of the show had been removed from iPlayer because it was “unacceptable”.
A BBC spokesperson said: “It has made it clear to Alex that his comments were unacceptable and he has apologised for any offence caused.”A BBC spokesperson said: “It has made it clear to Alex that his comments were unacceptable and he has apologised for any offence caused.”
The row over Dyke’s comments comes little more than six months after another local radio DJ, Radio Norfolk’s Nick Conrad, was criticised for saying women should “keep their knickers on” during a discussion on convicted rapist Ched Evans. In May, Ofcom said it would not be taking action against Conrad or the BBC over the comments.The row over Dyke’s comments comes little more than six months after another local radio DJ, Radio Norfolk’s Nick Conrad, was criticised for saying women should “keep their knickers on” during a discussion on convicted rapist Ched Evans. In May, Ofcom said it would not be taking action against Conrad or the BBC over the comments.