Alastair Stewart supporters have began an online petition to the get the newsreader reinstated by ITV. A message posted alongside the petition declared: "Alastair Stewart has been ridiculously forced to quit his role on ITV after 40 years due to Martin Shapland accused him of calling him 'an angry ape' after quoting Shakespeare. ITN have not confirmed that the tweets are linked to Stewart stepping down from ITV News. An ITN spokesperson told the Mirror: "After many years working across a variety of news programmes, Alastair Stewart is stepping down from his presenting duties. Michael Jermey, director of news and current affairs at ITV, added: "Alastair has been a long-standing, familiar figure to viewers of ITV News, both reporting and presenting with distinction.

Source: Daily Mirror January 30, 2020 12:38 UTC