An Isle of Man radio DJ was temporarily released from his role and placed under investigation after downplaying the existence of “white privilege” and writing “all lives matter” on an online forum.
Stu Peters was suspended from his Wednesday night slot on Manx Radio after his politically incorrect remarks.
A black caller had challenged him over an “all lives matter” post made on an online forum.
Following the incident, Manx Radio referred the issue to the Communications Commission, according to The BBC.
“I’ve had no more privilege in my life than you have. I’m a white man, you’re a black man,” Peters told the caller.
Peters was also confused as to why a killing that took place in Minneapolis led to protesters assembling outside the local parliament on a cold, grey, and windswept island in the Irish Sea.
He said: “What I can’t understand is why people around the rest of the world are protesting, and specifically in the Isle of Man. Why you would have a protest outside of Tynwald about it?”
After the segment, in a statement, Manx Radio’s managing director Chris Sully said:
“Stu Peters will not be presenting the Late Show whilst an investigation takes place.
“We await [the Commission’s] guidance on any potential breach of the Broadcast Code.
“Manx Radio does not condone racism in any form amongst its staff.
“We are actively working with the caller involved to develop some ideas to debate the issues involved.”
Much of the controversy surrounding the call has been due to Black Lives Matter advocates complaining that the slogan “all lives matter” devalues the message of the movement.
On the investigation, Peters reportedly commented: “I have been told that Manx Radio is now investigating what happened, and it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further while that investigation is under way.”
The Black Lives Matter protests over the in-custody killing of George Floyd have given rise to demonstrations in several countries as well as riots across dozens of major U.S. cities.
