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Presenter George Hook suspended by Newstalk for rape comments

Presenter George Hook
Presenter George Hook Presenter George Hook

IRISH radio station Newstalk has suspended presenter George Hook, right, following his controversial comments about rape. The station yesterday confirmed that the presenter “has been suspended from his duties at the station”. Newstalk added: “The process regarding his comments last week is ongoing.”


The controversy centres around comments Hook made on Friday. Referring to a UK rape case Hook questioned why the woman had gone back to the hotel room of a man she had just met, asking: “Is there no blame now to the person who puts themselves in danger?”


His suspension follows widespread condemnation from groups such as the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI).


Speaking on RTE’s Morning Ireland minutes before the suspension was announced, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “Nobody who is raped or sexually assaulted is responsible in any way.”


He added that the presenter’s comments were “indicative of attitudes that still exist in Irish society that need to change”.


Hook apologised on Monday for his comments, which had resulted in the withdrawal of advertisers from his lunchtime show.