Newsreader drops allegations, leaves ITV
Wednesday, February 24 2010,
ITV West newsreader Lisa Aziz has left ITV and dropped racist allegations against colleagues.
The experienced presenter, who spent ten years at Sky before joining ITV in 2005, announced that she is leaving the broadcaster for "personal reasons".
Aziz has also withdrawn "serious and damaging" allegations that she made against fellow newsreaders and management, including Steve Scott, who she accused of "racist mimicking" of Sir Trevor McDonald.
"The allegations were made while I was very angry and unwell. I now withdraw all the allegations and wish to continue to develop my career," Aziz said of the claims that followed, to which ITV at the time branded as "baseless". Her case was due to be heard next month.
Of her departure, she added: "I leave ITV knowing that my time at ITV has been amongst the most fulfilling of my career in television and I have the highest regard for the quality of journalism produced there."
A spokesman for ITV said: "Lisa has made a significant contribution to our team. We have now resolved all of the outstanding issues and we wish Lisa success in the future."
In July last year, the Westcountry Tonight co-anchor was suspended by ITV for reportedly fiddling her expenses.