BBC addresses complaint regarding ‘personal assault’ on Rangers icon.
Cosgrove and his co-host Tam Cowan have been hosting the popular football show on BBC Radio Scotland since 1995. Both faced complaints to the BBC’s complaints unit for remarks made on separate occasions during the program.
A listener complained about Cosgrove’s comment regarding Rangers legend Richard Gough during a live discussion on January 20, where Cosgrove expressed uncertainty about Gough’s stance on apartheid. Gough, a former Rangers captain, had advocated for sporting links with South Africa during his acceptance of the Scottish Football Writers’ Player of the Year award in 1989.
The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) determined that Cosgrove’s remark gave the impression of a personal attack on Gough, who wasn’t able to respond, and exceeded acceptable boundaries for such a program. The BBC Scotland had previously acknowledged a breach of standards and discussed it with Cosgrove, which the ECU deemed sufficient to address the complaint.
Cowan’s comments in a program aired on February 10 were found to contain elements of sexism and sexual innuendo, following a listener complaint. The ECU concluded that such content was inappropriate for a program broadcast at Saturday lunchtime. Cowan participated in one-to-one equality, diversity, and inclusion training, which was deemed adequate to resolve the complaint.
