News

Laurence Fox’s Gb News show, in which stand-in presenter Martin Daubney interviewed Reform Party leader Richard Tice about the hot-button small boats issue, has become the latest to be found in breach by Ofcom.

The regulator has rapped Gb News once again for “due impartiality” issues, following an interview between Daubney and Tice that was deemed to be “insufficiently challenged,” with the “limited alternative views presented dismissed,” according to today’s ruling.

During the program, right-wing commentator Daubney, standing in for Fox, gave his views on the topic of immigration and asylum policy, in the context of controversy over small boats crossing the English Channel. He also interviewed the leader of the Reform Party, Tice, which was flagged up by complainants to Ofcom.

“We considered that immigration and asylum policy constituted a matter of major political controversy and a major matter relating to current public policy,” Ofcom said. “When dealing with major matters,...

Ofcom has opened yet another investigation into Gb News following the Laurence Fox rant on Dan Wootton Tonight, which the regulator revealed has received 7,300 complaints.

The regulator said it is investigating under Rule 2.3 of the Broadcasting Code, which states that in applying generally accepted standards broadcasters must ensure that material which may cause offence is justified by the context.

Ofcom CEO Melanie Dawes said there had been “speculation and commentary” in recent days over Ofcom’s role in the broadcasting landscape since the Tuesday broadcast but the rules “remain unchanged.”

“They are designed to protect audiences from offensive and harmful material, and to uphold the integrity of broadcast news and current affairs programming, while always ensuring that freedom of expression is front and centre in every decision we take,” she said. “This is highly valued by audiences and central to our democracy.”

Having faced pressure since Tuesday, Ofcom has reacted...

Gb News host Martin Daubney was visibly flustered during a breaking news segment during which he stumbled over words and ended up saying profanities on air.

During an attempted breaking news segment regarding the arrest of escaped terror suspect Daniel Abed Khalife, the Gb News host referred to the suspect as “the terror man.”

“First, it’s the news headlines…no it’s not – we’re going straight to me,” Daubney said during the Saturday segment while visibly confused. This is breaking news – this is fast and happening.”

After stumbling during the segment, the Gb News host says, “F–k, it’s all gone wrong.”

“We’ve got our first guest,” Daubney continued. “Police have arrested prisoner Daniel Khalife, beg your pardon… This story is just happening.”

In an attempt to move forward, Daubney shuffles through papers while announcing “Chip Chapman, we have him coming up soon on the arrest of the terror suspect.

Four more Ofcom investigations have been opened into under-fire UK network Gb News, including the first into Laurence Fox’s show.

The regulator has just revealed it is probing a number of shows from the past few weeks that may have fallen foul of the Broadcsting Code preventing politicians from acting as newsreaders, along with various impartiality issues.

Fox’s show Laurence Fox, which was guest hosted by Martin Daubney, is being investigated over whether “due impartiality was preserved on matters of major political or industrial controversy” after it featured an interview with Reform UK leader Richard Tice on the hot-button small boats issue. Right-wing actor Fox presents a daily show talking to topical issues with his “unique and outgoing style,” according to the network, which used to be backed by Discovery.

Episodes of a news show hosted by Conservative politicians Esther McVey and Philip Davies are being investigated twice...