GB News, the controversial television channel, has had its access to the internal TV system in the Welsh Parliament removed. Presiding Officer Elin Jones’ spokesperson cited a recent broadcast that was “deliberately offensive” as the reason for the decision, but said that members and staff would still be able to watch GB News online. Tory Senedd group leader Andrew RT Davies criticized the move as “censorship”, while GB News presenter Nigel Farage called it “totalitarian”. The comments in question were made by Laurence Fox about female journalist Ava Evans, in which he questioned why a “self-respecting man” would “climb into bed” with her. The former Brexit Party leader accused the Welsh Labour administration of being “totalitarian” and questioned whether this was what lay ahead for the UK under Sir Keir Starmer.
Mr. Fox has since been fired by GB News after criticizing a female journalist on air. Dan Wootton, the host of the show on which Fox made his comments, remains suspended and apologised “unreservedly” for “a very unfortunate lapse in judgement on my part under the intense pressure of a bizarre exchange”. Ms. Jones’ spokesperson emphasized that there were multiple ongoing Ofcom investigations into the channel and stated that the commission would discuss the issue in a future meeting. The move has the support of Plaid Cymru spokesperson for broadcasting Heledd Fychan, who said her party backs the decision of removing GB News from Senedd’s internal television system.
Ofcom has over ten ongoing investigations against GB News. The Welsh Parliament’s cross-party governing body, the commission is responsible for its day-to-day administration. GB News launched in the summer of 2021 and has been under scrutiny almost immediately, with a number of hosts departing the channel in the months since it went on air. The channel was created to provide an alternative viewpoint to more established mainstream media; however, its heavily opinionated content and controversial presenters have proven to be a lightning rod for criticism
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