GB News has taken the decision to suspend host Laurence Fox after he made derogatory comments about a journalist and questioned the integrity of any “self-respecting man” who would associate with her.
These remarks were uttered during a live discussion following PoliticsJOE reporter Ava Evans’ comments on the BBC, in which she criticized calls for a minister for men, suggesting it fueled the ongoing culture war. Evans expressed feeling “physically sick” in response to Fox’s comments.
GB News has issued an apology to Ava Evans, distancing itself from Laurence Fox’s comments and labeling them as “totally unacceptable.” In a subsequent statement, GB News announced the formal suspension of Laurence Fox while an investigation into his on-air remarks is ongoing. He has been removed from the channel, effective immediately.
Laurence Fox, who previously ran for the position of London mayor in 2021, defended his statements on social media, asserting that he stands by every word he said.
The controversy emerged from a discussion on the “Politics Live” program, featuring Ava Evans and commentator Geoff Norcott. The topic was men’s mental health, with Norcott highlighting the high suicide rate among men under 50. When a Conservative MP’s proposal for a dedicated minister to address men’s issues was mentioned, Evans expressed concerns that it was being used to create a divisive narrative.
Fox’s remarks came during his appearance on another GB News show, “Dan Wootton Tonight,” where he commented on the earlier exchange and made derogatory remarks about Ava Evans, questioning her appeal to men.
Ava Evans responded on social media, expressing her shock and hurt over Fox’s comments. Dan Wootton, the host of the show where Fox made the comments, issued apologies, clarifying that he was not amused by Fox’s remarks.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation, with calls for intervention from media regulator Ofcom. Ofcom confirmed it had received complaints about Fox’s comments and was assessing them against its broadcast rules.
Laurence Fox, primarily known as an actor, has gained attention in recent years as a right-wing political commentator and activist. He launched the Reclaim Party in 2020 and ran for London mayor in 2021, though he received a small percentage of the vote.
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