Sir Ed Davey’s attack on GB News has been branded “utterly ridiculous”, following his outburst during Prime Minister’s Questions.
Discussing the swipe on the People’s Channel, Political Editor Christopher Hope hit out at the Liberal Democrats leader for his “deeply offensive” remarks.
Launching his attack on the People’s Channel, Sir Ed told Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer: “A New World investigation into GB News has found hundreds of shocking breaches of the rules of impartiality and accuracy, yet Ofcom has repeatedly refused to take action.
“Andrew Neil says just as Fox basically became the channel of Donald Trump, it is clear they have turned GB News into the Reform channel. We cannot let GB News propaganda turn our great country into their version of Trump’s America.
“Either the Government rules aren’t fit for purpose or Ofcom isn’t properly enforcing them, Prime Minister. Which is it?”
Refusing to involve himself with the claims made by Sir Ed, Sir Keir responded: “Well, he’s right to raise an important question of free speech and our media. It is a matter for Ofcom and it’s important that we let them deal with it.”
Reacting to the outburst, host Martin Daubney highlighted Sir Ed was interviewed by Chief Political Correspondent Katherine Forster just this weekend, while GB News was the only national broadcaster to attend the Liberal Democrats’ annual conference.
Martin scoffed: “Ed Davey came on the show! And by the way, Katherine Forster was at the Lib Dem conference all weekend.”
Christopher Hope hit out at Ed Davey’s attack on GB News during Prime Minister’s questions, branding it ‘ridiculous’
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Christopher responded: “We were the only national broadcaster at their spring conference in Yorkshire at the weekend, and Katherine Forster did a long interview with him which played out on the channel over the weekend and on YouTube.
“Matt Wilkinson, the Lib Dem MP, was in this studio about two hours ago. It’s a debate, we’re a free speech channel, it’s ridiculous. “
Expressing outrage on behalf of GB News viewers, Christopher told Martin the channel is “not going anywhere” despite his attack.
Christopher made clear: “Does he want to shut down GB News? We’ve been through all this, they made similar noises two years ago, it’s ridiculous.
Ed Davey hit out at the People’s Channel during Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions
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PARLIAMENT TV
“It’s deeply offensive to the hundreds of thousands of people who watch GB News every moment of the day. We are going to keep going. Wherever you are, viewers, we’re not going anywhere.”
Inviting Sir Ed to come on the channel, Martin issued a direct message to the Liberal Democrats leader: “And I’ll tell you what, Ed Davey, there’s only one thing worse than being talked about, and that is being ignored.
“Come and join us, come and sit in this studio, bring all your Lib Dem mates, let’s have it. Let’s have a chat. You’d be very, very welcome, just don’t start doing that dancing.”
Revealing he attempted to speak to Sir Ed “immediately” after PMQs, Christopher told GB News viewers his request was dismissed by his team.
Christopher told GB News the attack is ‘deeply offensive’ to viewers
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GB NEWS
Christopher said: “I was in touch with his team immediately, saying, I’ll interview Ed anywhere this afternoon, and they couldn’t find time in his diary.”
Martin was unsurprised, swiping: “Oh, isn’t that funny? Seriously, we have Steff Aquarone on here, he’s a fantastic Lib Dem MP.
“He’s a great bloke, he’s great on farming, on pensioners – there are great Liberal Democrat MPs, and we have no problem with Liberal Democrats.”
Christopher concluded: “They can’t cut through. They’ve got 72 MPs, they are defined by being against Trump, against the European Union, but what do they stand for? Maybe that’s the problem they’ve got.”