[Tony2005]

McCririck claims his
side came out on top


JOHN McCRIRICK said on Monday there was "overwhelming" evidence he was axed from Channel 4 Racing due to his age as his employment tribunal against his erstwhile employers ended in London.

Speaking following lawyers' closing submissions, McCririck, 73, who is seeking £3 million in damages, described the tribunal experience as "horrendous", but claimed his side had won the argument as the three-strong panel retired to consider their verdict, which could come later this week.

He said: "We were confident when we started bringing this in, back in January; I always said there will never be evidence of age discrimination given in writing but I think the evidence has been overwhelming that that is just what they did."

McCririck was axed after nearly three decades with Channel 4 last December following the acquisition by the network of all terrestrial racing broadcast rights and the appointment of IMG Media as producers. He was one of five presenters, also including Alastair Down, Derek Thompson and Mike Cattermole, to leave the show.

In closing submissions Thomas Linden QC, representing Channel 4 and IMG, said there was "no reason" to think McCririck's age was part of bosses' considerations when deciding upon the make-up of the new-look Channel 4 Racing team last year.

Responding for McCririck, Jennifer Eady QC said her client had been "passionate" about his job with Channel 4 Racing.

"If there was one thing he loved doing it was this, and he had done it for 28 years," she said. "It was hard to draw any conclusion other than this was his life."