“I remember politicians in Northern Ireland were sometimes called 'verbal incendiarists,' as they didn't actually do anything but they said certain things. So when you hear certain politicians using nasty language, that colours our lives. It makes some other people think it's OK to racially abuse people.”

Scottish journalist, television presenter and author, born 1953

Gavin Esler is a Scottish journalist, television presenter and author. Born in 1953, he is best known for presenting BBC Two’s political analysis programme Newsnight from 2003 to 2014, and for hosting BBC News at Five on the BBC News Channel. He later served as Chancellor of the University of Kent from 2014 to 2023. In 2017 he said he was leaving the BBC to focus on writing, then returned later that year as host of Talking Books. His work is closely tied to politics, public affairs and books.