ITN anchor Alastair Stewart ‘offered to apologise privately’ to his accuser in ‘angry ape’ race row but bosses said it would ‘not be enough’ to save his 40-year career
- Mr Stewart’s accuser said an apology would have been ‘more than sufficient’
- Martin Shapland, 34, from east London, complained about ‘angry ape’ tweet
- Friends have said veteran presenter had not received a warning from HR before
Veteran ITV newsreader Alastair Stewart ‘offered to apologise privately’ to his accuser before bosses forced him out, it has been claimed.
But the channel’s longest serving presenter was allegedly told this would not be enough to save his job of more than 40 years.
The 67-year-old’s feet were held to the fire by bosses after viewer Martin Shapland, 34, complained about his tweet quoting a Shakespeare passage that contained the phrase ‘angry ape’.
He has since tweeted that a private apology from Mr Stewart would have been ‘more than sufficient’.
Fellow presenters have rallied around Mr Stewart with BBC broadcaster Andrew Neil declaring that ‘the only explanation can be the ITN suits wanted him out – and seized their chance’.
Alastair Stewart, 67, was told by bosses that his private apology would not be enough
However his accuser Martin Shapland, 34, a lobbyist from east London, has tweeted that a private apology would have been ‘more than sufficient’
Mr Stewart had asked bosses whether he could apologise to his accuser privately, a friend told the Sunday Times, but they said this was not enough.
A friend also told the paper that despite ITV accusing him of ‘errors of judgement’ he had not previously received a single official warning from HR.
Mr Shapland, a lobbyist from east London, had said that ‘a private apology would have been more than sufficient’ and that he ‘takes no pleasure’ in the resignation.
Stewart’s decision to step down comes after a black Twitter user claimed he ‘called him an angry ape’ three weeks ago. Martin Shapland later branded Stewart a ‘disgrace’
Presenters have rallied to support Mr Stewart and claimed ITV has hung him out to dry. He is pictured above with broadcasters including Emily Maitlis, Katie Derham, Mary Nightingale, and Natasha Kaplinsky
A petition to get Mr Stewart re-instated has received more than 70,000 signatures
Presenters have come out in support of Mr Stewart including Ranvir Singh (pictured)
The Shakespearean quote used by Mr Stewart references how a person can lose their sight with anger and refuse to listen to others, as opposed to making racial comparisons.
A change.org petition demanding Mr Stewart gets his job back and that his accuser makes a public apology has already been signed more than 70,000 times.
‘Alastair Stewart has been ridiculously forced to quit his role on ITV after 40 years due to Martin Shapland accusing him of calling him ‘an angry ape’ after quoting Shakespeare,’ it reads.
‘Despite no direct conversation on Twitter between the two and with Martin using racism as an offence.
‘It’s not racist either, Martin needs to take account the evolution of apes to humans of all races. Martin needs to publicly apologise and Alastair needs to have his job reinstated!’
Mr Shapland tweeted on January 30: ‘I consider the matter to be closed, accept Mr Stewart’s expression of regret and wish him the best for the future.’
One on the UK’s best known news broadcasters, who asked not be named, told MailOnline on Thursday: ‘It’s an absolute shambles and a disgrace.
‘I don’t know if this is cover for something else – if someone wanted him out anyway they should have allowed a more gracious retirement – but it gives our industry a bad name and a bad look. Intolerant, obtuse, disloyal and illiterate’.
ITV bosses are said to have been nervous about the presenter’s social media activity, after he also tweeted followers on issues such as anti-Semitism and the environment.
MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.