Talkshow host James Whale has been suspended from Talkradio after interviewing a rape victim with a "complete lack of sensitivity".
The station said his interview with journalist Nichi Hodgson on Monday "was conducted in a manner that did not reflect the values of the station and completely lacked sensitivity".
Ms Hodgson, 34, revealed she had been orally raped in a black cab in January in the phone discussion about flirtation since the #MeToo movement started.
Writing in The Guardian on Friday, the sex and relationships broadcaster and author said: "I was interrogated, ridiculed and had my journalistic integrity questioned by James Whale."
In a video clip of the interview, since deleted by Talkradio, Whale can be seen mouthing "orally raped" then laughing and shaking his head before questioning why she did not get her attacker's phone number.
Whale, 67, and his fellow interviewer, Ash Gould, then questioned Ms Hodgson saying police told her CCTV footage is usually destroyed after 30 days.
And Whale also questioned details of Ms Hodgson's assault, asking why she got into a cab with a man she did not know – to which she explained she did not and her attacker jumped into her taxi.
He also asked why she did not get the taxi's licence number and said she should not have stayed at the police station after they said they could not do anything for her.
The veteran radio show host added: "Are you not concerned that unless you went further with this then this brute could actually do it to other women?"
Ms Hodgson said he used "every sneeringly dismissive and misogynistic trick in the book" to make her sexual assault "an interrogation of my behaviour".
She added: "Whale had the opportunity to let his listeners understand what it feels like to be sexually violated, to learn what may happen if you go to the police (who were nothing but supportive yet realistic with me) and to facilitate a nuanced discussion about what respectful sexual advances should look and sound like.
"Instead, his interrogation of me became part of the continuing problem, the very reason for why those who experience assault will continue to keep quiet about it."
In a statement from Talkradio, since retweeted by Whale, the station said: "James Whale's interview with Nichi Hodgson on Monday was conducted in a manner that did not reflect the values of the station and completely lacked sensitivity when she discussed her personal story.
"This style of broadcasting is not something that Talkradio supports or encourages, and we have taken the decision to suspend James Whale pending a full investigation.
More from MeToo
"This incident saw regrettable errors made by both the production and presenting teams and we are taking measures to ensure that they are not repeated again."
Sky News has contacted Whale for a comment.
[contf]
[contfnew]
Sky News
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
