Barrister Andrew Eborn admitted on GB News that Jermaine Jenas’s sacking left him confused, arguing it was an “extreme” decision taken by the BBC.
The corporation took another blow yesterday when the former Premier League star vowed to take legal advice after his axing amid allegations he sent unsolicited messages to a female colleague.
Eborn questioned the abrupt nature of the sacking - and whether a due process was carried out in full by the broadcaster.
“I don’t like this at all”, he said.
Andrew Eborn says the broadcaster have acted too quickly
GB NEWS / PA
“I think the BBC have overreacted. They got in trouble with various other cases like Jimmy Saville.
“This is a claim. He was on talkRADIO last night saying ‘there are two sides to every story’ which suggests the claim has not gone all the way through.
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“There is context. As we have learned so quickly - trust in the media has dropped to an all time low.”
Stephen Dixon waded in to comment: “The issue here is, we’re speculating, but if the complaint has been made and some bosses saw the text messages and said ‘this isn’t acceptable…’”
Before Eborn interjected: “Sunlight is the best disinfectant. The BBC needs a procedure for complaints.
“Trust in broadcasters is at an all time low. Only 36 per cent of people trust the media in the UK and the BBC is a part of that problem.
Stephen Dixon suggested the text messages sent by Jenas may have been severe, meaning swift action was necessary
GB NEWS
“You look at recent cases and see the BBC haven’t acted quick enough, I think they have acted too quickly here.”
Jenas, who played for Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, told talkSPORT News in a brief interview: “Look, I can’t really talk about it.
“I, as you can probably see, I am not happy about it.
“But currently, as it stands, I’m going to have to let the lawyers deal with it.
Jermaine Jenas has been fired from the BBC after a complaint of 'inappropriate behaviour'PA“You know, there’s two sides to every story, as we know. So, that’s all I can say right now.”
When asked about reports that he sent unsolicited messages to a female member of staff at The One Show, he replied: “Like I said, I’m not happy about this situation.
“You know, I’m going to be speaking to my lawyers about it is all I can say right now.”