This comes after the Irish Independent revealed on Saturday that Yates had been secretly working as an advisor to Fianna Fáil’s failed presidential candidate, Jim Gavin.
Yates worked for Newstalk, and appeared on the popular Path to Power podcast during the election campaign. Both Matt Cooper and NK Management – who own Path to Power podcast – said he did not disclose his advisory role and immediately ended his association with the show as a consequence.
Now, Newstalk have said that Yates worked for them as a presenter on Newstalk for three days during the presidential campaign on September, 23, 24, and 25, from 9am-12pm, covering for Pat Kenny.
“Ivan Yates did not inform Newstalk of any conflict of interest relating to the presidential election campaign. This matter is currently under review by Newstalk management,” a statement from the broadcaster said.
Ivan Yates has wished the ‘Path to Power’ podcast every continued success in a LinkedIn post earlier today, sharing a clip of what he described as his ‘last episode.’
It was reported by the Irish Independent on Saturday that Yates, the former co-host of the podcast, provided training to the presidential candidate drop-out, Jim Gavin.
Mr Yates participated in, and contributed to many high-profile conversations around the time of the presidential election, while working with Mr Gavin on his campaign and not disclosing it to the public or companies he worked for.
After the Irish Independent revelation, it was announced that Yates would no longer be part of Cooper’s podcast.
“Following disclosures in the Irish Independent (Saturday) that Ivan Yates provided training services to Fianna Fail candidate, Jim Gavin, during the recent Presidential election, we have taken the decision to end Ivan’s role as co-host of Path To Power with immediate effect,” a statement from Cooper and NK Management read.
“Neither Matt Cooper nor NK Productions were aware that Ivan was working on the campaign, and both believe that this information should have been shared with the audience of the podcast when the Presidential election was being discussed.
“Ivan recently advised the Path To Power team of his wish to leave the podcast in the New Year. Nevertheless, the team have taken the decision that in light of this development, his role as a co-host will end immediately” the statement said.
Ivan Yates has been axed as co-host of podcast ‘Path to Power.’ Photo: Mark Condren
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Sunday November 2
Matt Cooper, the co-host of ‘Path to Power’ spoke exclusively to the Sunday Independent, and shared his shock and dismay at what must now happen due to Mr Yates’ concealed involvement with the presidential campaign of the Fianna Fáil candidate.
“I am rarely shocked but I was shocked. And then I suppose I was angry and now I’m sad because I very much enjoyed working with Ivan,” Mr Cooper said, who admitted that going back into studio with wasn’t an option when he felt that he “hadn’t been correctly informed,” on something so fundamental to their work.
He said on Saturday that: “While we have always been aware of Ivan’s commercial activities, his decision not to advise us that he was actively engaged in the Presidential election on behalf of one of the parties is disappointing. Had he shared that information with us, we would have made sure that our audience was aware of the matter when we were discussing the election.”
On Sunday, Yates said on social media that he wished Path to Power “every continued success”.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio One this morning, Minister Colm Brophy said that this information “raises serious questions for Fianna Fáil,” who are already in what would appear to be a precarious position regarding the lack of satisfaction shown by some party members towards their leader, Micheál Martin.
Mr Brophy suggested that the “regulations around fairness and impartiality that affect broadcasters,” were breached by Mr Yates, if he was “commercially involved in a campaign but not declaring that to the broadcasters who they were coming on to contribute to, or work with.”