Michael Vaughan wasn’t on Test Match Special for the first day of the Leeds Test on Thursday but offering expert views on the TMS website. Aside from Jonathan Agnew it’s unusual for broadcasters to do every Test and Vaughan had already done the first two.
It is though in my view time for TMS to leave Vaughan out of the team. He wasn’t used when allegations of racism at Yorkshire cricket were made last year. He has always denied the allegations and reappeared for the 2022 season with no further BBC comment. No doubt lawyers and contractual obligations are involved.
Most recently Vaughan is one of a number charged with issues of racism after a lengthy ECB investigation. Hearings will be in the autumn and Vaughan is innocent until and unless proven otherwise.
In most other employment situations (except Government Ministers clearly) an individual would be suspended on full pay. For TMS to continue to use Vaughan while issues of racism in English cricket remain live and unresolved is wrong. For the moment he should be left out of the TMS team.
Vaughan has now stepped back from BBC roles. Full marks to the BBC staff who pursued his continued appearance in the context outlined above
Leave a Reply