Former Labor leader, turned political commentator, Mark Latham has been dumped by Sky News following widespread condemnation of his comments suggesting that a Sydney school boy looked gay.
The network’s political editor David Speers announced Latham’s sacking on his program PM Agenda.
“Sky News has ended the contract of contributor Mark Latham,” Speers said.
“This follows a number of controversies in relation to his comments around Kristina Keneally, Wendy Harmer and indeed the story that’s been doing the rounds on a lot of news sites today in relation to some Sydney Boys High School students for a video they recorded for International Women’s Day.”
Sky News presenter Christina Keneally had reportedly threatened to take legal action against the network over comments Latham had made about her on air. While ABC radio host Wendy Harmer had engaged lawyers after Latham delivered a tirade describing her as disabled and a commercial failure.
Sky News boss Angelos Frangopoulos commented on Twitter saying that while the organisation values strong opinions and robust arguments they also pride themselves in doing so in a civil and respectful manner.
Last week on his show The Outsiders Latham attacked the 15 year old daughter of Philip Lowe, the Governor of the Reserve Bank. On a previous show the former politician had said a 15 year old school boy, who appeared in a feminist video created by students at Sydney Boys School, “looked gay”.
Just ahead of the news being announced Latham’s Twitter account which had been dormant for two years sprung back to life with a series of tweets.
“Outrage industry totally confected: no reaction to Outsiders as it aired, yet 2-3 weeks later reheating BS offenderati. Complete fraud.” one post read.
Latham was the leader of the federal Labor party from 2003 until 2005. He lost the 2004 election to John Howard, who was returned for a third term.
He wrote a column for The Australian Financial Review for eight years until it was cancelled following a series of controversial articles that criticised anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty, alongside articles that attacked transgender military officer Catherine McGregor.
Prior to joining Sky News, Latham was a political commentator on Chanel Seven’s Sunrise program and Nine’s failed Q&A clone The Verdict.
Imagine being fired for being “uncivil and disrespectful” by a network that hasn’t fired Ross Cameron.
— Tom Ballard (@TomCBallard) March 29, 2017
@Mark_Latham_ has become one of the most reputable political commentator ever! Wish there were a few more! https://t.co/5SSEHUQOD3
— Holly60 (@distinctblue60) March 29, 2017
Regarding #MarkLatham – look, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke.
— Clementine Ford (@clementine_ford) March 29, 2017
Thank you @SkyNewsAust I’ll be keeping my Foxtel subscription. Right decision on Mark Latham
— Steve Pate (@stevie_pate) March 29, 2017
