A RADIO broadcast in which a Redbridge Councillor was called a "Nazi" did break broadcasting rules, media regulator Ofcom has said.

Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Cllr Michael Stark, was called an "ignorant pig" and a "health Nazi" during a debate last year with shock jock Jon Gaunt over the authority's plans to ban smokers from fostering children.

Talksport Radio swiftly sacked Mr Gaunt following the incident, which attracted 53 complaints from listeners.

Mr Gaunt did apologise for his comments, but Ofcom said the original broadcast did break rules about offensive material.

While the complaints were upheld, Talksport will not be fined over the incident.

In a report published today, Ofcom said: "In this case, the offensive language used to describe Mr Stark, and what would be considered to be a persistently bullying and hectoring approach taken by Jon Gaunt towards his guest, exceeded the expectations of the audience of this programme, despite listeners being accustomed to a robust level of debate from this particular presenter.

"Even taking into account the context of this programme such as the nature of the service, the audience expectations and the editorial content, Ofcom did not consider that this was sufficient justification for the offensive material."

Mr Gaunt has previously threatened legal action against both Talksport radio for his sacking and local councils for trying to introduce such restrictions on foster carers.