A CONTROVERSIAL radio DJ who was sacked for calling a Redbridge councillor a “Nazi” live on air has lost his legal challenge against the broadcasting regulator at the High Court.

Jon Gaunt lost his job at TalkSport after a live debate with Monkhams ward councillor Michael Stark in November 2008, in which he called him a “health Nazi” and an “ignorant pig” following news that the council was to ban smokers from fostering children in the borough.

The DJ launched a legal challenge at the High Court against Ofcom's subsequent censure of the radio station, which lead to his dismissal in June 2009, arguing that his right to free speech has been infringed.

However, judges at the High Court said that regulator was justified in saying the interview might cause offence both to Mr Stark and the wider audience.

The station received 53 complaints about the remarks, for which Mr Gaunt later apologised on air.

After news of today's ruling Mr Gaunt said: “Obviously I'm disappointed with the decision but what has happened is that I've actually won on a few points.

“The court didn't have a problem with the 'Nazi' or 'health Nazi' remark, they had a problem with the 'ignorant pig' comment, which they said was without context. However, if you listen to the tape you can hear it doesn't come out of the blue.”

During the discussion, Mr Gaunt called Cllr Stark an “ignorant pig” after Cllr Stark said that the DJ's time in care as a child had “obviously had an effect on him”.

Mr Gaunt added: “Today has proved that Ofcom is not above the courts. The court recognise that my style of radio is political broadcasting and that I have a right to free speech.

“The bottom line is I stand by what I said. This is about the rights of children in care, which are more important than the ignorant fascist policy of Redbridge Council to ban smokers from fostering children.”

Mr Gaunt said he plans to appeal the ruling.