Racing pundit John McCririck’s employment tribunal over alleged aged discrimination started in London today (Monday 30 September).
McCririck, 73, is seeking damages of £3 million from Channel 4 and IMG Sports Media for “ageism”, after he was dropped from the presenting team.
McCririck held his role for 29 years before IMG Sports Media took over on 1 January this year. A new look-team was put in place with former BBC racing presenter Clare Balding and Racing UK anchor Nick Luck leading the coverage.
Speaking outside the court today he insisted he was still the best for the job. “There’s nobody better around — I have been sacked purely because of my age,” he said.
A Channel 4 spokesman said: “We are grateful to John McCririck for his contribution towards Channel 4 Racing over many years.
“However, we reject the suggestion that discrimination on the basis of age played any part in the decision not to include John in the Channel 4 Racing team from 2013 and we are vigorously defending this claim.”
The case, at the Central London Employment Tribunal, was adjourned until tomorrow while its panel of judges had time to consider read and watch the evidence.
The case will restart tomorrow at 10am and is expected to last for 7 days.
