BBC Radio host sacked after call to taxi firm requesting 'non-Asian' driver



Sacked: BBC Radio Bristol host Sam Mason, who was dismissed following a 'racist' phone call to a local taxi firm

A BBC Radio presenter has been sacked following a 'racist' call to a taxi firm, in which she requested a 'non-Asian' driver.

Sam Mason told the operator that 'a guy with a turban would freak her daughter out' insisting they send an English driver instead.

The ex-glamour girl, 40, called the firm to order a taxi for her 14-year-old daughter off-air, while presenting her BBC Bristol radio show.

After the operator branded her request 'racist', Mason insisted, claiming it wasn't the first time she had made the request.

She said: 'A guy with a turban is going to freak her out. She's not used to Asians.'



When the operator said it would not be possible to carry out her wishes, she said: 'You've managed it before.'



Mason, who has previously battled alcohol addiction, claimed she wasn't racist but insisted she was looking out for her daughter's interest.

Mason said: 'If it were me I wouldn't care if it had two heads, but it's my little girl we are talking about.'

After the operator refused to book a car, Mason complained before hanging up.

The operator said: 'We would class that as being racist. We can't just penalise the Asian drivers and just send an English one.'

She later called back before a manager accepted the booking.



Mason said: 'I work at the BBC. I'm far from racist and that uneducated woman has no right to call me one.'

BBC Radio Bristol, where Mason hosted an afternoon show



The BBC were alerted to the conversation after it was recorded and sent to the Sun newspaper.



The mother-of-one was subsequently suspended and fired 24 hours later.

A BBC spokesman said: 'Although Sam Mason's remarks were not made on-air, her comments were completely unacceptable and, for that reason, she has been informed that she will no longer be working for the BBC with immediate effect.'