UK & World News
- 9 January 2013, 13:46
McCririck Sues Channel 4 For £3m Over 'Ageism'
Former Channel 4 racing pundit John McCririck is seeking £3m in damages - claiming he was axed by the broadcaster due to his age.
The 72-year-old presenter was among a number of faces axed by the channel after it awarded the production contract to IMG Sports Media, ending its previous agreement with Highflyer.
McCririck spoke out last October at the time of the decision, which he blamed on ageism.
He has now issued a statement setting out his case: "Channel 4 and production company IMG Sports Media were yesterday each served a letter before action for age discrimination.
"After 29 years with Channel 4 Racing, on a rolling annual contract, I have been sacked without any consultation or cogent explanation. I am 72.
"For loss of future earnings, unfair career damaging, public humiliation, stress and mental anguish, I will be seeking £500,000.
"Ageism is illegal. For tens of thousands of employees it has become the feared scourge of our society.
"This litigation should prove to be a watershed. There's no upper limit to the amount of damages employment tribunals can award under the Equality Act 2010.
"I am seeking a further exemplary, punitive £2.5m, part of which will be donated to charitable organisations helping to prevent negative prejudice in the workplace."
McCririck said he was being represented on a no-win no-fee basis by employment and sports law specialist solicitor Stephen Beverley, of the London West End Cavendish Legal Group.
what do you think?
Para999Tom
i always thought the retirement age in this country was 65 ? anything longer is only allowed if agreed between the employer and employee. from what i can see he was working on borrowed time ( so to speak). aslo he says" he was sacked without any consultation or cogent explanation" so how can he say it was because of his age i.e ageism ? can't see him winning on that one.
Jasmin Louise
At 72 he's had a good run eh? No pun intended :)
rogmar01
65 is no longer the default retirement age in this country or anywhere else in the EU. When you want to retire you have to write to your employer giving him 12 months notice of intent to retire.
john
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ali baba
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Jeffrey Gwynn
What makes thispr*t think he's worth 3 million.
ali baba
3 quid and bus fair home if he lucky
hugh japenos
surely he has a bus pass?
Phil A
He doesn't need bus fare, he can use his free bus pass.
ali baba
tv is nothing about age it is about ratings. he lost all respect with his repulsive behavior on big brother
Nat_j2b
His behaviour was repulsive long before then.
happymike CHESTER
Another chancer like Bruce Forsyth well pass their sell by date, bluffing their way on to telly.
john
dreadful comments on this board You dont necessarily have to be a fan of these people I am not but if the Media have acted unlawfully which seems to be the case then good luck to them In any event the majority of the damages will be sent to Charity so whats the problem?
hugh japenos
so if his rolling contract was with Highflyer, it is no longer valid. IMG Sports Media obviously decided they'd rather not employ someone so arrogant, opinionated and obnoxious whose "trademark" tic-tac hand gestures are totally irrelevant to the viewing public. get over it!
shirley sutton
Pure greed he had a good run should let someone else have a go can't complain that lasted into his. 70's
Steven Tracey
11:45am on 9/1/2013
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Windows Live User
11:53am on 9/1/2013
Government should be proud of him as they are always banging on about people working into their retirement! Give him your support Cameron should be paying his costs out of his own pocket just to show the country you are never to old to make a packet