Tamihere threatens litigation against MediaWorks

Former RadioLive host John Tamihere. Photo / David White

Controversial talk-show host John Tamihere is threatening legal action against broadcaster MediaWorks over his departure from RadioLive.

The former Labour MP and radio host was stood down from his afternoon talk show with co-presenter Willie Jackson last month amid mounting public pressure over their take on the RoastBusters scandal.

The pair were particularly criticised for their line of questioning with teenager Amy, who phoned the show saying she was a friend of a victim of the RoastBusters.

After companies pulled their advertising from the show, MediaWorks announced a decision to take them off the air for the remainder of the year.

This week it was announced that Jackson will be back in 2014 with a show co-hosted by former Seven Sharp presenter Ali Mau, while Tamihere will not return.

He has since told Radio Waatea - of which he sits as a director along with Jackson - that he would be taking legal action against his former employer.

"I'm telling you this morning I will be litigating again with Mediaworks very shortly so you can read all the salacious bits in the affidavits and in the emails, but whenever I go anywhere I will go on my own terms, won't go on anyone else's terms,'' he is quoted as telling the station.

"It's interesting too at Mediaworks, it's a sisterhood running it and I'm just writing up my affidavit now and reflecting on it, it's amazing, it's back to the future with Helen and co."

A spokeswoman for MediaWorks said she could not comment on the proposed legal action, or confirm whether or not it had received notice of such litigation.

She said Tamihere's contract with the broadcaster was due to finish at the end of this year, and he was not returning to RadioLive.