Double misogyny row on Radio 4 as Today programme presenter asks woman who runs transport firm if she wishes she had started a knitting business – and Justin Webb assumes a police chief is male before guest corrects him

• BBC business journalist Adam Shaw was discussing inflation with Kylie Aldridge

Radio 4’s Today programme sparked a misogyny row this morning after one of its presenters asked a female owner of a transport firm if she wishes she had started a knitting business.

Adam Shaw, a BBC business journalist, was discussing inflation figures with Kylie Aldridge – founder of KL Logistics and also the owner of a cafe.

Suggesting that both industries have unstable inflation rates, Mr Shaw suggested she has made life difficult for herself. 

Mr Shaw, 49, said: ‘You run a transport business, you’re a busy woman, you also run a food business, a café – both in some of the most volatile inflationary markets you could have chosen. You haven’t made it easy on yourself. Have you ever wished you opened a knitting business or something?’

Appearing surprised at Mr Shaw, Ms Aldridge replied: ‘Well, no.’ To which Mr Shaw said: ‘You’re going to stick with the tough decisions.’ 

Later in the show, during a discussion on shoplifting, presenter Justin Webb also left listeners aghast after assuming a high-ranking police officer was male.

Radio 4’s Today programme sparked a misogyny row this morning after one of its presenters asked a female owner of a transport firm if she wishes she had started a knitting business (File image)

During a conversation with Katie Bourne, a police and crime commissioner for Sussex, as well as a business and retail spokesperson for police across the country, she refers to chief constables in how they battle the issue in their forces.

During the discussion, Ms Bourne praised to her own chief constable for being ‘supportive’ of her plan to battle shoplifting.

Mr Webb then referred to the chief constable as a ‘he’ which prompted a terse response from Ms Borne.

She replied: ‘My Chief Constable is a she, by the way, I’m delighted for that as well.’

Kay Fuller, a professor in gender and educational leadership took to Twitter to lambast Mr Shaw.

Angry viewers have taken to Twitter to slam the comments made on Radio 4 today, with one saying they ‘can’t imagine a bloke being asked that question’ 

She said: ‘#R4Today ridiculous question! Do you wish you ever started a knitting business? To business woman. Assumption a woman might find that easier than what she was doing. Assumption a knitting business is easy to run.’

Another suggested it was ‘everyday sexism’ while one listener blasted: ‘Opened a knitting business? Can’t imagine a bloke being asked that question.#r4today.’

Another said: ‘I hope that question haunts his brain at night.’

The BBC have been contacted for comment.  

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