Channel 4’s Krishnan Guru-Murthy suspended for insulting minister

Krishnan Guru-Murthy has been taken off air for a week by Channel 4 News after he was recorded using an offensive insult about a government minister.

Guru-Murthy apologised “unreservedly” to the Northern Ireland minister, Steve Baker, on Wednesday (19 October 2022).

The presenter used a strong swear word in an off-air remark after what he described as a “robust interview”.

On Thursday, Channel 4 said it has a strict code of conduct for employees and “takes any breaches seriously”.

Video of Guru-Murthy’s remark later circulated on social media.

He wrote on Twitter: “After a robust interview with Steve Baker MP I used a very offensive word in an unguarded moment off air.

“While it was not broadcast that word in any context is beneath the standards I set myself and I apologise unreservedly. I have reached out to Steve Baker to say sorry.”

Baker told Times Radio that sacking Guru-Murthy would be a “service to the public” if he was found to be in breach of his code of conduct.

After appearing on that station, he replied to Guru-Murthy’s tweet, accepting the apology and saying he “appreciated” the gesture.

Channel 4’s statement said: “Channel 4 has a strict code of conduct for all its employees, including its programming teams and on-air presenters, and takes any breaches seriously.

“Following an off-air incident Channel 4 News anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy has been taken off air for a week.”

After his suspension, Guru-Murthy will not return to Channel 4 News before 4 November due to an additional pre-existing week of leave.