Veteran TV presenter quits after being accused of racism for quoting Shakespeare

A veteran newsreader has announced his shock resignation after being accused of racism for quoting Shakespeare on Twitter.

A veteran UK newsreader has announced his shock resignation after being accused of racism for quoting Shakespeare on Twitter.

Alastair Stewart, who has been with ITV News for more than 40 years, on Wednesday said he would be quitting his role over a “misjudgment” on social media.

The 67-year-old announced he was stepping down from his presenting duties following “errors of judgment” over a tweet.

“It was a misjudgment which I regret, but it’s been a privilege to bring the news to households throughout the UK for the past 40 years,” he said in a statement.

The newsreader had been accused of calling a black man an ape on Twitter.

Alastair Stewart had been with ITV for 40 years.

He was accused of racism for quoting Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure.

Stewart and the Twitter user, Martin Shapland, were debating the financial relationship between the Crown and the taxpayer in a Twitter thread, when the presenter replied with an obscure quote from Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure.

In the string of tweets Stewart wrote, “But man, proud man,

Dress’d in a little brief authority Most ignorant of what he’s most assur’d—

His glassy essence—like an angry ape

Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven

As makes the angels weep; who, with our spleens,

Would all themselves laugh mortal.”

Just an @ITV newsreader referring to me as an ape with the cover of Shakespeare.

Measure for measure, Alistair is a disgrace https://t.co/YAvgs9GgTf

— Martin Shapland (@MShapland) January 13, 2020

But Mr Shapland shared the tweet, calling the presenter a “disgrace” for using the quote that appeared to use a racial slur against him.

“Just an ITV newsreader referring to me as an ape with the cover of Shakespeare,” he later tweeted. “Measure for measure, Alistair (sic) is a disgrace.”

The presenter’s Twitter account has since been deleted.

The Chandos Portrait of William Shakespeare at the National Gallery in London.

Stewart’s decision to quit has been supported by both ITV and ITN, following the errors of judgment in his use of social media which breached ITN’s editorial guidelines.

After the news on January 29, ITV Evening News presenter Mary Nightingale said, “Very sad about the departure of #AlastairStewart. He was a good friend and mentor to me when I started at Carlton TV, and we worked together for more than 27 years. I will miss him.”

ITN chief executive Anna Mallett said, “We would like to recognise Alastair’s contribution as one of the UK’s foremost journalists and TV presenters and to thank him for his commitment to delivering high-quality broadcast news over many years.”

Michael Jermey, director of news and current affairs at ITV, said, “Alastair has been a longstanding, familiar figure to viewers of ITV News, both reporting and presenting with distinction. We wish him the very best for the future.”

The presenter was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting and charity in 2006.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission