BBC presenter Jo Whiley slams 'drunk businessman' in Twitter rant over vile slur on train

BBC presenter Jo Whiley has slammed a “drunk businessman” for using slurs against people with learning difficulties during a foul tirade on a train.

The former Radio One and Radio Two DJ posted on Twitter after “enduring” the rant which included the word s**z - a insult originally directed at people with Cerebral Palsy - on Tuesday.

She wrote: “Just got off train having had to endure man on phone screaming at someone using the 's' word. It's 2017 THIS IS NOT OK #LearningDisabled”

Whiley, who presents the BBC’s Glastonbury coverage, then went on to say she “felt ashamed for not tackling the man”.

She added: “Feeling ashamed that I didn't tackle him but he was a very drunk & angry business man and I was too scared. Not a good journey home.

“It was just his use of a word that is so abhorrent to anyone who's affected by learning disabilities that shocked me.”

Fans shared their anger with Whiley, who presents the BBC’s coverage of Glastonbury, with one writing: “It makes me so angry! I have got a twin sister with CP....such a vile word.”

Another added: “This is NOT ok. My son has CP and I would have flown at this guy if I'd been on that train. Thanks for speaking up @jowhiley.”

The Sunnybank Trust, which supports people with learning disabilities in Epsom, Surrey, retweeted the DJ and said the use of s**z was “unacceptable”.