The Time Between. Mike Blair returns to Bute FM, on the basis he improves his behavior towards the management team. Mike Blair is found to be talking about how poor the management is behind the station managers back, without directly contacting management about this issue.
More Time Between. Complaints about how Mike Blair is running his show continually come to the station managers attention. Mike Blair's egotistical ways of presenting his shows come through in person when a Buteman article is published, giving no credit or even brief recognition to the station that started his show.
August 9th. After much thought station manager Iain Donald decides that as he is solely in charge of the content that is put out by Bute FM, he see's no further option than to release Mike Blair from his presenting duties. Bute Fm releases a short and brief statement informing the public that with immediate effect Mike Blair will no longer be volunteering with Bute FM.
August 10th. An official statement is provided by Bute FM regarding the dismissal of Mike Blair, detailing in full why this decision was made.
7 presenters announce resignation from Bute FM, stating they have "grave concerns about the operation and running of the station". Not one of these 7 presenters ever contacted the station manager to voice these concerns, nor did any of these 7 have any grave concerns with the station in the past. At least not to the station managers knowledge.
August 11th. Angela Haggerty releases a statement which has the following "As presenter of Have Your Say, I am aware that my role should be as impartial as possible in order to provide fair coverage and all the sides to the story, and as a result of this I have been very reluctant so far to make a statement on events."
August 12th. The 7 presenters who resigned issue a further statement." We would like to add that our grievance has from the outset never been a personal attack on any individual within the station and would reiterate that our only goal has been the future success and longevity of a legally administered Bute Fm"
August 14th. Prank phone calls made from members of the community to some existing Bute FM presenters begin to emerge. 15 year old sister of Bute FM station manager receives tirades of internet abuse through facebook. 13 year old station presenter also receives prank and threatening phone calls from public.Station managers girlfriend recieves tirades of internet abuse.
August 15th. Bute FM presenter Marcus Trapp, posts on facebook "Its old news now". Further going on to say "Life is to short to bear grudges".
August 19th. Due to an investigation by Ofcom, station manager Iain Donald contacts Have your say presenter Angela Haggerty and advises her that her show the following day cannot contain any events the of the past few weeks. Later on that night, Angela asks the public what questions would they like to put to Alex Salmond when he visits the island on August 24th. Clearly accepting that she couldn't do the show she intended.
August 20th. After betraying the agreement from the previous night, Angela decides she cannot do her show and publicly embarrasses the station with her behavior. Marcus Trapp resigns from Bute FM stating "
I have now left Bute FM of my own accord", "I wish them all the best in the future". Not once stating he was protesting going on to say "I don't want my kids dragged into this".
August 21st. Bute FM presenter Rhona Macqueen leaves the station stating "due to the events in recent weeks". Big Man Billy resigns from Bute FM, no official statement on the Big Man Billy facebook page, the public are informed by Marcus Trapp "end of an era big man billy has left"
August 24th. Angela Haggerty is told by Bute FM she may return to her show, however she still cannot discuss the events of the past few weeks due to the Ofcom investigation. She is also asked to apologize for walking out of her show on the 20th. Angela chooses to resign. Mike Blair breaks his silence for the first time stating he will not stoop to slanging match with the station and then goes on to say she has more integrity in her little finger than the remaining denizens at Bute FM. Marcus Trapp who left on his own accord posts a comment on facebook "a rebranding and re management is what is called for" and "lets take the station back people lets find a way this is our future and history rolled up into one". Have your say on Bute FM changes its name to Have your say on Bute.
August 26th. Bute FM presenter Bob Sutherland resigns. To this day no statement has been given regarding this resignation.Bute FM releases a statement with the quote "If anyone has been offended or upset by any actions carried out in the name of Bute FM then I would like to apologize. And should any of our former volunteers wish to discuss with me directly any particular concerns they might have then I am still willing to speak with them." Mike Blair breaks his silence again to inform the public he has had no continued dialogue with Bute FM.
August 28th. Mike Blair issues full statement on the Have your say on Bute page to let his fans know that their is no continued dialogue between him and station manager Iain Donald. He then goes on to let his fans know that his property has not been returned. On a different post Mike Blair asks for Angela to be given the keys to Bute FM so that democracy may rule.
September 1st. Glasgow Herald posts an article entitled "Breakfast DJ's sacking makes waves at island radio station". Posing for the photograph are Mike Blair (asked to leave due to animosity with station manager and continued complaints from concerned listeners), Marcus Trapp (left of his own accord and due to his kids), Helen Lambertini (We would like to add that our grievance has from the outset never been a personal attack on any individual within the station) and Peter Wallace (No statement issued). Featured in the article are quotes from Billy Adler (No statement issued - end of an era thats big man billy left), Angela Haggerty (has been informed, that due to regulatory implications, there is to be no discussion of recent events at Bute FM on tomorrows have your say).
Paul.
