Man wrongly accused of felling Sycamore Gap tree wore 'Rod Stewart wig' to avoid abuse
Walter Renwick, a 69-year-old lumberjack, was arrested the day after the famous tree was felled in September 2023. Although he was released without charge by December, public suspicion has continued to follow him.
The much-loved 70ft sycamore, featured in the 1991 Kevin Costner film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, stood in a picturesque dip along Hadrian's Wall and was considered one of the UK's most iconic trees. Walter Renwick. Pic: BBC
Its dramatic overnight destruction sparked outrage.
Two men – Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, both from Cumbria – were later found guilty of criminal damage by a unanimous jury at Newcastle Crown Court in May. A judge described the pair as 'moronic' for their actions. Daniel Graham. Pic: Northumbria Police
Despite being cleared, Mr Renwick has struggled with the lingering effects of the accusation.
Speaking to the BBC this week, he described the emotional toll of the police search at his Northumberland home: 'There were police everywhere, drones flying around the valley, divers in the lake – they were 100% certain I'd done it,' he recalled.
'Every time I went shopping, people were nudging each other and saying 'that's him that cut the tree down', stuff like that. Adam Carruthers. Pic: Northumbria Police
'I know it was daft but I put a Rod Stewart wig on so people didn't spot me.'
Months before the tree was felled, Mr Renwick had been evicted from Plankey Mill Farm – land that had been in his family for generations. Though he had no legal claim to the tenancy, online speculation falsely linked his eviction to a possible motive for the felling.
'I'd just lost everything I had — my cows, my sheep, my parents' stuff. I'd lost my home, and then this,' he said.
Reflecting on the outcome of the trial, Mr Renwick said: 'I just keep asking myself why they did it. Was it just attention seeking? I don't know what it was but, for me at least, it's over.
'Actually, you know, the tree – that was one thing. But losing my farm. That was the thing that hurt most of all.'
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Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
John Torode's MasterChef contract not renewed after racist language allegation
John Torode will not return to MasterChef after its producers confirmed his contract would not be renewed after an allegation of using racist language. The Australian -born chef (59) had confirmed on Monday evening he was the subject of an allegation that was upheld as part of an inquiry into the behaviour of his former co-presenter Gregg Wallace . A spokesperson for the production company Banijay UK said on Tuesday: 'In response to John Torode's statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously. The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018. 'This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint. Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.' READ MORE A BBC spokesperson said the allegation against Torode 'involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace', which was 'investigated and substantiated' by the independent investigation led by Lewis Silkin. They added: 'John Torode denies the allegation. He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. 'The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. John Torode's contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.' In a statement on Instagram on Tuesday, Torode said: 'Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay, I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of. The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong. 'I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few seem to have prevented that.' He added: 'Personally I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have.' The report on Wallace, commissioned by Banijay UK, found that 45 out of 83 allegations against him were substantiated, alongside two stand-alone allegations made against other people. Wallace (60) was sacked last week from MasterChef before the release of the report, which included one allegation of 'unwelcome physical contact' that was upheld. He said he was 'deeply sorry for any distress caused' and that he had 'never set out to harm or humiliate'. MasterChef was relaunched in 2005 with Torode and Wallace as presenters. The latest development means Torode's time at MasterChef is in effect over already as the 2025 series has already been shot and delivered to the BBC, though it has not been aired. Torode will not be contracted for any more episodes. His departure creates an even greater problem for the BBC director general, Tim Davie, over the current, unaired series of the show. He was already facing a tough decision over whether or not to air it, as Wallace features prominently throughout. The Guardian revealed Wallace appears as a judge right until the series finale. It was only then that he stood back from the role amid allegations over his behaviour. Torode features throughout the whole series. John Torode (left) with fellow Masterchef presenter Gregg Wallace in 2008. Photograph: Anthony Devlin /PA Speaking at the launch of the BBC's annual report, Davie said he had not made a decision over the series but he was mindful of the contestants who had worked hard throughout it. 'One of my overwhelming concerns is that we've got all the amateur chefs that gave their heart and soul to this programme,' he said. 'We have to reflect on that, talk to them – and I'm sure Banijay are doing that – consult them, think about the audience, and then make a call. That's what we're going through now.' He said there was a future for the show despite the allegations against Wallace and Torode. Production has only recently moved to new studios. 'A great programme that's well loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals,' Davie said. In an interview with BBC News on Tuesday evening, Davie said he saw the situation as an opportunity for the corporation to 'reset'. He said he was not directly involved with the matter but had been told about the recommendation not to renew Torode's contract and was 'happy that the team were taking action'. Davie added: 'It's really important that we are taking this seriously. It's a reset where we make sure that people are living up to the values we expect across the board.' Asked exactly what Torode was alleged to have said, the BBC's director general replied: 'I'm not going to give you the exact term because I think, frankly, it was serious racist term, a serious racist term, which does not get to be acceptable in any way, shape or form.' – Guardian
The Irish Sun
17 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
How ‘heartbroken' & ‘blindsided' MasterChef star John Torode learned BBC had sacked him over ‘racism at work' revealed
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'He What did the report find? FORTY-five allegations made against Gregg Wallace during his time on MasterChef, including one of "unwelcome physical contact", were found to have been substantiated. An independent report commissioned by production company Banijay assessed 83 allegations against Wallace. The report substantiated: - Twelve claims he made inappropriate jokes and innuendo; - Sixteen reports he made sexually explicit comments; - Two allegations that he made sexualised comments to or about someone; - Four complaints that he made culturally insensitive or racist comments; - Three claims that he was in a state of undress; - Seven allegations of bullying; - One allegation of unwanted touching. The allegations span from 2005 to 2024. 'Devastated' Gregg Wallace FIRED by BBC over MasterChef sexual comments 'Obviously he's heartbroken. Advertisement 'He feels he's been made a scapegoat off the back of the Another source told The Sun the Australian chef planned to quit at the end of this week. In an Instagram post John said: 'Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay — I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of. 'I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else.' Advertisement Mental health issues Torode was cited in the report — but not named — over a racist remark allegedly made during a private conversation. We revealed yesterday that BBC bosses had He refused to do so. Advertisement No decision has been made as to whether the next MasterChef series will be aired. Mr Davie insisted the show 'absolutely' had a future and was 'much 6 Torode learned that he had been sacked by reading about it on the BBC News website Credit: Getty 6 John 'feels he's been made a scapegoat off the back of the Gregg Wallace report' Credit: PA Advertisement MasterChef scandal timeline 2005 to 2011: Problems with MasterChef began way back in the mid-2000s, with 27 substantiated claims made against host Gregg Wallace regarding alleged incidents in this period, according to a report by law firm Lewis Silkin. Most of these were related to sexually explicit comments, although one allegation of unwanted physical contact in this period was also substantiated. The same report found there was a failure by the production company to retain records of any actions taken during this time. 2012 to 2018: Another 17 allegations were upheld from this period, according to the report. The production company behind MasterChef investigated an allegation about Wallace's behaviour in 2015 - but he was not made aware of the complaint. In 2016, the production company merged with Endemol, introducing more formal policies as well as regular training and anonymous reporting lines. The BBC intervened in response to a complaint in 2017, after which Wallace was then warned to change his behaviour. 2019 to 2024: One substantiated complaint about an inappropriate comment was from this time period. November 2024: Wallace faces allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a 17-year period on a range of TV shows. He steps away from presenting MasterChef while Banijay - the show's production company - announces it will conduct an external review to 'fully and impartially investigate' the claims against him. 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July 15, 2025 : Co-host Torode is sacked after allegedly making a racist remark while on the show. BBC bosses axe the TV host and slam an "extremely offensive" term, which was raised in the bombshell report into Gregg Wallace's "inappropriate behaviour". Torode says the comment - which the report attributed to an unnamed person - referred to him, but added: 'I have absolutely no recollection of this, and I do not believe that it happened.'
Extra.ie
21 hours ago
- Extra.ie
John Torode sacked as MasterChef presenter
John Torode has been sacked as the presenter of MasterChef following an allegation that he used racial language 'sometime in 2018 or 2019.' The 59-year-old's departure comes only days after that of his co-presenter Gregg Wallace following a nine-month investigation into allegations of misconduct during filming of the hit cooking show. The duo had been presenting the BBC show since its relaunch in 2005. John Torode has been sacked as the presenter of MasterChef following an allegation that he used racial language 'sometime in 2018 or 2019.' Pic: Kirsty O'Connor – Pool/Getty Images John's axing from the show comes a day after he released a statement confirming he was one of the two individuals with whom an allegation had been upheld. He said: 'For the sake of transparency I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.' John added that he had 'absolutely no recollection' and did not believe the incident occurred. View this post on Instagram A post shared by John Torode (@johntorodecooks) 'I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment,' he said, 'I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.' Despite claiming he had no recollection of the incident, the BBC on Tuesday afternoon confirmed the chef would not be returning to his position on the show. John departs the show only days after his co-host Greg Wallace, who was axed following a nine-month investigation into a number of allegations regarding his behaviour on the show. Among the allegations levelled against Wallace were several well known public figures. It is said that around 30 women came forward with accusations of misconduct, some of which dated back a number of years. The most serious claims were found to be baseless following a full investigation. Several allegations were upheld, including that he got his private parts out, covered by a sock and opened his dressing room door shouting 'hooray.'
