Andy West said he was ‘ashamed’ to work for BBC after Tyson Fury was nominated as their Sports Personality of the Year

The award-winning television journalist posted on Facebook that he was ‘hurting’ after the BBC shortlisted Fury for their Sports Personality of the Year award.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, West wrote on Facebook:

‘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 encourage by his naive, juvenile bigotry. I am ashamed to work for the BBC when it lacks bravery to admit it is making a mistake. I criticise the BBC for offering him as an idol to be celebrated and admired not just for his sporting achievements but also his ‘personality’.’

West was responding to homophobic remarks made by Fury during an interview with the Mail on Sunday. During the interview, Tyson linked homosexuality and paedophilia and suggested homosexuality should be made illegal.

Following this post, the BBC Northern Ireland presenter claims he was ordered off work.

He tweeted: ‘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!’ He was initially ‘reprimanded with action’, but today claims he has been suspended.