What did newsreader Alastair Stewart tweet and why has he quit ITV?

IN a shock departure, established newsreader Alastair Stewart has quit ITV News after 40 years over a "misjudgement" on social media.

The 67-year-old announced he is stepping down from his presenting duties following "errors of judgement" over a tweet. Here's all you need to know...

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Why has Alastair Stewart quit ITV?

Alastair has been a newsreader for more than 40 years and on January 29, 2020, announced he will be walking away from his role at ITV over a "misjudged" tweet.

In a statement, the veteran presenter said: "It was a misjudgement which I regret, but it's been a privilege to bring the news to households throughout the UK for the past 40 years."

The newsreader has been accused of calling a black man an ape on Twitter.

A source told The Sun that ITV bosses had been scaling back his role and may have 'felt the time was right'.

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What were Alastair Stewart's tweets?

Alastair and the Twitter user, Martin Shapland, were debating the financial relationship between the Crown and the taxpayer in a Twitter thread, when the presenter replied with an obscure quote from Shakespeare's Measure for Measure.

In the string of tweets Alastair wrote: “But man, proud man,

"Dress'd in a little brief authority

"Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd -

"His glassy essence—like an angry ape

"Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven

"As makes the angels weep; who, with our spleens,

"Would all themselves laugh mortal.”

But Martin shared the tweet, calling the presenter a "disgrace" for using the quote that appeared to use a racial slur against him.

He later tweeted: "Just an ITV newsreader referred to me as an ape with the cover of Shakespeare. "Measure for measure, Alastair is a disgrace."

The presenter's Twitter account has since been deleted.

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Has ITV commented on Alastair Stewart's decision?

Alastair's decision to quit has been supported by both ITV and ITN, following the errors of judgement in his use of social media which breached ITN’s editorial guidelines.

After the news on January 29 (the day of the announcement), ITV Evening News presenter Mary Nightingale said: "Very sad about the departure of #AlastairStewart.

"He was a good friend and mentor to me when I started at Carlton TV, and we worked together for more than 27 years. I will miss him."

ITN chief executive Anna Mallett said: "We would like to recognise Alastair's contribution as one of the UK's foremost journalists and TV presenters and to thank him for his commitment to delivering high-quality broadcast news over many years."

Michael Jermey, director of news and current affairs at ITV, said: "Alastair has been a long-standing, familiar figure to viewers of ITV News, both reporting and presenting with distinction. We wish him the very best for the future."

The presenter was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting and charity in 2006.