Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy back on Channel 4 after suspension for swearing about MP

The presenter made no reference to the incident as he appeared back on the show on Monday night.

Mike Bedigan
Monday 07 November 2022 20:54 GMT
Krishnan Guru-Murthy returns to Channel 4 after suspension for swearing at MP (Ian West/PA)
Krishnan Guru-Murthy returns to Channel 4 after suspension for swearing at MP (Ian West/PA) (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Channel 4 News anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy has returned to the broadcaster’s flagship programme after being taken off air for swearing about Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker.

The presenter made no reference to the incident as he appeared back on the show on Monday night.

He was suspended for a week following the incident on Wednesday October 19 following an interview with the Tory MP.

During an off-air moment after his exchange with Baker, Guru-Murthy was heard to say: “What a c***.”

Channel 4 said his outburst had breached its code of conduct.

A statement from the broadcaster 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.”

Following the incident Guru-Murthy tweeted: “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.”

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

“I had an interview earlier with a journalist I don’t have a great deal of regard for who I felt was misrepresenting the situation through the construction of his question, which I called out, I think live on air, or I thought it was a pre-record,” he said.

“And he clearly didn’t like that, quite right, too. But I’d be quite honest, I spent a long time live on air, calling him out on his conduct as a journalist and glad to do so any time.

“But it’s most unfortunate that he’s sworn on air like that. If it’s in breach of his code of conduct, I do hope they sack him – it would be a service to the public.”

Baker later replied to Guru-Murthy’s tweet, accepting the apology and saying he “appreciated” the gesture, and told him that “all is forgiven”.

The interview came after a tumultuous day in Westminster which saw Suella Braverman resign as home secretary, to be replaced by Grant Shapps.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in