GB NEWS: OFCOM ASSESSING COMPLAINTS MADE AGAINST LAURENCE FOX

Ofcom are assessing complaints made against GB News presenter Laurence Fox after comments made about a female journalist on Dan Wootton Tonight on Tuesday 26th September.

Ofcom said in a statement: "We can confirm we've received a number of complaints about comments made by Laurence Fox on GB News last night. We are assessing these complaints against our broadcast rules and will publish the outcome as quickly as possible."

GB News said: "Comments made tonight on GB News by Laurence Fox were totally unacceptable. What he said does not reflect our values and we apologise unreservedly for the comments and the offence they have caused...

"We have launched an investigation and will be apologising to the individual involved."

This week, Ofcom opened a further five investigations into GB News programming relating to its Don't Kill Cash campaign, which was already under investigation by Ofcom.

Ofcom explain: "Rule 5.4 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code requires all broadcasters to ensure that their programmes - whatever their genre - exclude all expressions of the views and opinions of the person providing the service on matters of political and industrial controversy or current public policy. This reflects the statutory requirements in the Communications Act 2003 as set by Parliament."

Ofcom guidance explains the “person providing the service” is the licensee, the company officers and persons with an editorial responsibility for the service – rather than the individual presenters or guests that appear in the broadcaster’s programming."

Ofcom launched five further investigations relating to the Don't Kill Cash campaign on GB News. The additional programmes they are investigating, under the same rules as above, are:

• Breakfast with Eamonn and Isabel, GB News, 6 Jul 23

• Patrick Christys, GB News, 6 Jul 23

• Britain’s Newsroom, GB News, 11 Jul 23

• Britain’s Newsroom, GB News, 5 Jul 23

• The Live Desk, GB News, 17 Aug 23

Earlier this month, Ofcom found GB News in breach of impartiality rules. An episode of Saturday Morning with Esther and Phil, which aired on GB News on 11 March 2023, presented by Esther McVey and Philip Davies, two sitting Conservative Party MPs.

This particular programme featured a pre-recorded interview between the two presenters and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt MP.

Ofcom concluded: "Given this programme featured two sitting MP presenters from one political party interviewing the Chancellor of the same political party about a matter of major political controversy and current public policy, we consider, in these circumstances, that GB News should have taken additional steps to ensure that due impartiality was preserved."

Ofcom say the investigation does not seek to question the merits of the Don't Kill Cash campaign itself.