Context is key | Sacking of BBC presenter who called colleagues 'C-words' puts spotlight on swearing policies

A BBC radio presenter was sacked after using swear words to describe two colleagues, a tribunal has heard.

BBC Radio Suffolk presenter James Hazell was judged to have breached his contract by using the C-word to refer to two female co-workers with whom he had "increasingly strained relationships", according to editor Peter Cook, who gave evidence to an employment tribunal.

Hazell was also alleged to have threatened the same two colleagues not to complain about him and had previously been warned about his conduct towards one of the employees, including comments and behaviour of a sexual nature, according to the legal proceedings.

The tribunal heard that Cook was warned that his previous behaviour could cost him his job, but this outcome was avoided after he apologised to the co-worker involved.