News Live reported that Ashley Cain has been accused of using explicit sexist and misogynistic language in historic social media posts. Cain has previously said, "I believe in respect and respect is mutual. If you are a lady, I respect you." The said it will treat the allegations seriously and has asked production partners to review social media checks; Cain's X account has been removed.
Ashley Cain's Historic Posts
first reported tweets that News said it had seen in some cases. The material includes a 2014 tweet in which Cain wrote that one female user should "go and choke on a [expletive] you slut" in response to a since-deleted post he perceived to be homophobic. News also reported that Cain reportedly used the terms "sluts" and "psychos" and made jokes about hitting women.
Review and Statement
The said: "We are very clear we expect the highest standards of behaviour from everyone who works with or for the." The added: "When allegations are brought to our attention we take them seriously." The organisation told News it has asked the independent production companies it works with that engaged Cain to fully review the social media checks that were undertaken at the time and said it will consider the information carefully: "We will consider this information carefully and do not intend to comment further at this stage."
's Original Reporting
's reporting prompted the review, with News saying the corporation as a whole was unaware that the remarks had been posted on social media. Cain presents the documentary series Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone, which explains why broadcasters and production partners say vetting and social-media checks are part of engagement processes for on-screen contributors.
Cain has spoken publicly before about personal standards. He said in a previous panel discussion: "I believe in respect and respect is mutual. If you are a lady, I respect you." He also said: "But if you don't respect yourself, how can you expect me to respect you?" and used the phrase "like to think" when describing how he would react if a man treated his sister disrespectfully, saying she "was brought up in a good enough way not to do" what he described of some sexual partners.
The unanswered operational question now is straightforward: who reviewed Cain's social media before he was engaged, and what checks were actually done? That is the step the has asked independent production companies to clarify as they carry out their reviews.
