A GB News programme has been slammed with 9,315 Ofcom complaints after sparking outrage.
GB News has been hit with 9,000 Ofcom complaints (Image: GB News)
A GB News programme has been hit with more than 9,000 Ofcom complaints.
Comments made on Alex Armstrong Tonight on July 5 sparked 9,058 complaints just this week, the watchdog has confirmed, bringing the total to 9,315.
An Ofcom spokesperson told The Mirror: “Complaints related to comments from contributor Caroline Farrow during a discussion about Pride.”
Farrow’s comments sparked outrage during the live programme, which led to an apology from Armstrong, while the likes of Drag Race UK star Bimini and Green Party leader Zack Polanski have led calls for an Ofcom investigation after the broadcaster’s comments.
Farrow had joined Liberal Democrat councillor Mathew Hulbert and host Armstrong on the GB News programme, where they debated whether Pride events are suitable for children.
Farrow had claimed that London for Pride, an LGBTQIA+ celebration that had taken place just a day earlier, was a “very sexualised display”, and said: “I think the problem that Pride has is [that it’s] not about gay rights. It has become about celebrating every single sexuality that isn’t heterosexuality.”
She said: “Including some very bizarre and unhealthy kinks and quirks, you know, like furries and bestiality, and even minor-attracted, they call themselves minor-attracted. You know, paedophiles.”
The comment sparked outrage, with Armstrong saying at the time: “I went to Pride last year and filmed it for GB News. Actually, I would say the overwhelming amount of people at Pride were there for good reasons. I don’t think it was full of paedophiles and everything, I’m sure there are nefarious people.”
GB News also shared in a statement with PinkNews: “These comments were expressed within a live debate by a contributor. They were her own views, and do not reflect the views or editorial position of GB News. Anyone watching the debate would have noted the comments were robustly and repeatedly challenged by two other contributors. GB News takes its responsibilities as a regulated broadcaster seriously and complies with all of its obligations under the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.”
The Mirror has approached GB News for comment.
The following week, Armstrong addressed the backlash to Farrow’s comments, saying her statement was one he “fundamentally rejects”.
He said: “Tonight I want to address outrage from the LGBT community and press over comments made by one of our guests last weekend. We welcome robust and difficult debates on this channel, and particularly on this show. It is not, and never will be, an echo chamber for anybody. That’s why we always have a dissenting voice on all of my shows, want you to hear all aspects of every debate.
“That’s made it even more important, when guests come on my show and make statements that are considered homophobic or deeply offensive, that they are challenged and balanced by me and my guests if they do that. But sometimes I feel it’s necessary to go a bit further, and I’m going to do that tonight.
“Comments made by guests last weekend conflated gay pride with the celebration of paedophilia. This is an age-old gay trope that’s been used over a number of years to demonise and slander gay people. And as I said to the guest during that segment, it is a statement I fundamentally reject and have not witnessed when attending Pride myself.
“The debate we were meant to be having was around whether or not Pride was suitable for children. Those comments by guests had no place in that discussion, and in my opinion, were lazy and offensive arguments that don’t reflect my views or the views of this channel, where many LGBT people also work.”
He went on to say that he does take issue with critics trying “to misrepresent my views in other ways to try and paint me as homophobic” but doubled down on his stance during the debate.
Armstrong continued: “I will not be smeared by people and media who are politically motivated to try and cancel me for simply opposing their political ideology.
“As many of you already know, I am openly gay. I very, very rarely talk about it or discuss my sexuality because I believe it is such a small part of my character. And frankly, I don’t think you, the British public, care about it or have any interest in who I’m attracted to. Nor does being gay have any bearing on my politics, and nor should it ever.
“I maintain that Pride is not suitable for children. It contains adult material and products, even on so-called family day. I have witnessed it myself. There’s a lot of alcohol, scantily dressed individuals, and political propaganda-all things I don’t believe are suitable for children.”
Viewers had shared their outrage over Farrow’s comments when the debate originally aired.
Writing on X, one said: “Ironically she is the reason pride is still necessary.”
Another person called the comment “horrific”, while someone else said: “Absolutely disgusting that they are allowed to get away with this.”