Laurence Fox's vile GB News rant about 'why men won't shag woman' causes outrage
GB News suspended Laurence Fox after announcing an investigation and issuing an apology following the host's “totally unacceptable” vile rant targeting a female journalist.
Laurence made a series of remarks about Ava Evans, the political correspondent for online news site Joe, including describing her as a “little woman” during an episode of Dan Wootton Tonight on Tuesday.
Ava shared a clip of the comments on Twitter, with the caption “Laurence Fox just did a whole speech on GB News on why men apparently won’t shag me?” which has been viewed more than 6 million times. The journalist admitted she felt "physically sick" at the comments.
Speaking to GB News host Dan, Laurence, who has now been suspended, said: "Show me a single self-respecting man that would like to climb into bed with that woman ever, ever, who wasn’t an incel. We need powerful, strong amazing women who make great points for themselves. We don’t need these sort of feminist 4.0. They’re pathetic and embarrassing. Who’d want to shag that?”
As both Laurence and Dan laughed, the former actor added: "Sorry, it's true though." Dan then remarked: "I’m just going to provide a touch of balance from her because she did actually respond to this earlier today, saying that she regretted her comments, but she didn’t apologise. So there you go. And she’s a very beautiful woman Laurence, very beautiful.”
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Laurence's comments have been slammed by broadcasters and politiciansIn a follow up tweet she added that the footage made her feel “physically sick”. The discussion came after Ava appeared on BBC’s Politics Live on Monday. After her appearance, she said: "I was a little rash on my anti-minister for men comments which I do regret and am actually very interested in a brief for a minister on young men’s mental health.”
In a statement, 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.”
Broadcasters and politicians hit out at the comments as Piers Morgan tweeted: "Ava is a very talented journalist and delightful person. Fox is a disgusting piece of misogynist trash." Carol Vorderman added: "Please know that ALL decent people are on your side. We're grateful for your voice. Do not let them bully you. I know only too well how difficult that can be. But we ARE winning. All of us together."
Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Thangam Debbonaire, posted on Twitter: "Last night's woman hating on air has hit a new low. Might want to ask why a national broadcaster would want to keep this man on air. Women are mighty and we will never let voices like this silence us." She followed up with a further tweet adding: "And actually is it a new low? It's very low but so many women-hating men get to shout their vile-eness at us on air, online, on the street. And sometimes to our faces. Non-abusive men. Step the hell up! We are tired of having to do the work of standing up to patriarchy."
Shadow Attorney General Emily Thornberry responded to Ms Evans: "I'm so sorry this has happened to you.
"This smirking, sniggering misogyny needs to be called out. British television should never subject women to this sort of abuse," while Tory peer Daniel Finkelstein wrote: "Oh my God this is truly appalling. Even for the two individuals involved this was a new low."
After his appearance on GB News, Laurence reiterated his offensive comments on X. He said: "Good night Twatter. Don’t shag hot, boring, mindless, blonde 26th wave feminists. That way misery lies. Every single human life is sacred. #AllLivesMatter."
Ava Evans appeared on BBC's Politics LiveIn a message to Ava on Twitter, host Dan apologised: “I think you’re brilliant… I apologise for what was said during the course of my show and should have done this immediately on air. This is not what our channel is about.” On Tuesday, Dan issued a lengthly apology as he said: "I want to reiterate my regret over last night’s exchange with Laurence on GB News. Having looked at the footage, I can see how inappropriate my reaction to his totally unacceptable remarks appears to be and want to be clear that I was in no way amused by the comments.
"I reacted as I did out of shock and surprise in an off guard moment while working out how to respond as he continued to speak by searching for tweets @AvaSantina had sent earlier in the day while having them read out in my ear at the same time. However, I should have intervened immediately to challenge offensive and misogynistic remarks.
"I apologise unreservedly for what was a very unfortunate lapse in judgement on my part under the intense pressure of a bizarre exchange. I know I should have done better. I'm devastated that I let down the team and our supportive GBN family. We seek to tackle the issue and not the person, which I intend to stress again on air tonight."
In contrast, Laurence doubled-down on his comments on Wednesday morning. On X, he wrote: "First of all, don’t take a pop at @danwootton for something I said. That’s not fair. Secondly. I stand by every word of what I said. If a woman wants to go on television and belittle male suicide, she is totally within her rights to do so and not apologise, just as I am totally within my rights to say that I wouldn’t want to shag a hyper offended 4th wave feminist and not apologise, just as people are totally within their rights to be offended by my stating I would run a mile in the opposite direction from women like her, should our paths cross in a bar. It's called free speech.
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"I realise that the new woke world is low on laughter and high on offence, but it’s still worth trying to find the lighter moments in this joyless new cancel culture which has been created for us. This lady has said on air that she wants men to be “frightened” and “terrified.” Tumbleweed from the media at her premeditation and malevolence. Because it’s not a man saying it. Which rather proves my point." The former actor went on rule out an apology before urging his followers to "speak your mind".
Meanwhile, Laurence's comments were discussed on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday as Susanna Reid asked culture secretary Lucy Frazer if she thought deputy chairman of the Conservative Party should reconsider his position on the channel. The Tory MP branded the comments "unacceptable" and noted it was a "matter for Ofcom".
Ofcom have since confirmed they are looking into complaints made about Laurence following his rant directed at journalist Ava. The broadcasting regulator posted on X: "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."
After GB News announced Laurence's suspension, the broadcaster and former actor took to X to blast the channel for not calling him to announce the news.
Alongside a screenshot of what appears to be Laurence sharing his intended content for his appearance on Dan Wootton Tonight, he wrote: "A phone call might have been polite. By matter of interest for the audience contributors do a pre interview before going on, so they knew exactly what I intended to say. I fully defend the the home of free speech’s right to capitulate to the mob…"
Meanwhile, Ava joined Jeremy Vine to discuss the comments and admitted she was "really hurt" by the vile rant. She said: "I’m really shocked that it went out. Actually, do you know this is the sort of talk that you worry that men have about you when you are not in the room. There is always a worry in the back of your mind which is are people actually interested in what I am saying or what I am doing or are they just looking at me physically? And I think that that clip proves that there are some men who are."
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