Welders sacked over radio bust up

The BBC radio DJs have very different styles and audiences

A punch-up over whether Terry Wogan or Chris Moyles should be playing on the radio led to two welders being sacked from an Aberdeen council depot.

One insisted BBC Radio 2 should be played while they worked, while the other wanted to hear Radio 1.

After the row erupted Bill Law and Peter Innes were fired by Aberdeen City council and police were called.

But Mr Law claims council chiefs sacrificed them both because of his work as a TGWU union shop steward.

The 30-year-old Chris Moyles fan said the fight began when Mr Innes, 45, switched off Mr Moyles' Radio 1 breakfast show and changed it over to Mr Wogan on Radio 2.

It was just simple kiddie's playground stuff that got out of hand Peter Innes

When he turned it back to Radio 1, Mr Innes "went berserk" and the pair had to be pulled apart by workmates, said Mr Law.

Police were called to the city's Kittybrewster Depot on 8 March and charges may now be brought, it emerged on Thursday.

Mr Law, who has worked at the depot for seven years, said: "Peter's not a violent man but he just went berserk and lost his temper and we had a fight. We both realised immediately it was wrong."

He claimed he was being victimised for his trade union activities.

"The council has sacrificed Peter to get to me because of my trade union work and sacked us both. It's a disgrace."

Mr Innes said: "It was just simple kiddie's playground stuff that got out of hand but the council blew it out of proportion, it's totally ridiculous."

Both men are appealing against the sackings.

A council spokesman said: "We don't comment on staff matters."

Grampian Police said a report on the incident was being sent to the procurator fiscal.

Terry Wogan read out a letter about the row from a listener on his breakfast show on Thursday.