Top Tory blasts Conservative MPs 'swanning off' to host GB News shows

28 September 2023 , 09:15

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Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg is among Tory MPs who host shows on the channel

A top Tory MP has blasted Conservative colleagues for “swanning off” to host shows on GB News.

Senior Conservative backbench MP Caroline Nokes, who chairs the Commons Women and Equalities Select Committee, lashed out at backbench party colleagues who present on the channel. It comes as she called for the TV watchdog to investigate "blatantly misogynistic, outdated, hideous attitudes" following the on-air behaviour of host Dan Wootton and actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox.

Both men were suspended by the broadcaster following Fox's remarks about a female journalist. Wootton laughed in response as Fox said of Ava Evans, political correspondent for online news site Joe: "Who would want to shag that?" Ms Nokes said: "I think there is a really serious case to answer and I hope that Ofcom can conclude its investigations as swiftly as possible.”

Senior backbencher Caroline Nokes, pictured at an ITV studio, has hit out at some of her Parliamentary colleagues (Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)

She also attacked Tory MPs “swanning off” to anchor GB News shows. Philip Davies, Lee Anderson, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Esther McVey are among Conservative MPs who present on the channel. "I think it's a very odd relationship, to be quite frank, and I don't go on any of their shows," Ms Nokes told BBC Newsnight. "From my perspective, if you're a Member of Parliament you have a day job to do, getting on with the work you have in the House of Commons and not swanning off, and in some cases several times a week, to present a show on a television channel."

A Cabinet Minister said regulators must look into GB News after Wootton and Fox’s "unacceptable and disgraceful" conduct. Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said the broadcasting regulator had to take the response to the "next stage". Ms Donelan told Sky News' Politics Hub: "Ofcom really do need to look at this. I was quite shocked and taken aback by the level of the comments made and the response of Dan on that show. I'm glad that GB News took decisive action and suspended both of them quickly today, but there needs to be the next stage now and Ofcom really needs to be looking at this."

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She said the station needs to learn "big lessons" such as "why was this ever viewed as acceptable in modern Britain", and investigate whether the conversation had been "pre-agreed". Issuing an apology, Wootton said his "inappropriate" reaction to the remarks was a "very unfortunate lapse in judgment". But GB News suspended Wootton, having already taken action against fellow host Fox, and launched a "full investigation". Fox has refused to apologise.

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Ben Glaze