GB News has received nearly 12,000 complaints to Ofcom after a guest made controversial remarks about Pride events. A further 1,160 complaints were logged this week, bringing the total to 11,693.
The programme, hosted by Alex Armstrong and aired on 5 July, sparked outrage when contributor Caroline Farrow questioned whether Pride events are suitable for children. She also made comments linking Pride to what she termed “minor-attracted” people, which critics called “dangerous” and “abhorrent”.
Ofcom confirms complaint total
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “Complaints related to comments from contributor Caroline Farrow during a discussion about Pride. The total number of complaints to Ofcom about this is 11,693.”
Following the backlash, GB News issued a statement to 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.”
Critics call for investigation
Green Party leader Zack Polanski signed an open letter calling on Ofcom to investigate, alongside Drag Race UK star Bimini and clothing label He.She.They. The letter stated: “An open letter to Ofcom – the UK media regulator. How is it that GB News and others are allowed to say that pride is about celebrating minor attraction and bestiality when it’s not true. LGBTQIA+ people find these things just as abhorrent as anyone else does. Do your job and hold these channels to account. It’s so dangerous to allow lies like this to appear as fact when people don’t think critically.”
Armstrong addresses controversy
The following week, Armstrong addressed the uproar on his show, saying he “fundamentally rejects” Farrow’s comments. He stated: “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.”
Armstrong, who is openly gay, added: “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.”
