GB News turned explosive on Sunday as panellist Peter Bleksley berated host Alex Armstrong live on air. Moments after the presenter suggested he wouldn't fight for his country, Bleksley, a former Metropolitan Police detective, launched into a blistering rant.
"I am utterly disgusted by your rampant, pathetic cowardice," he declared. "There's no end to a smile on my face. You've just firmly put yourself in the camp of Iran, Russia…" he continued, as Armstrong attempted to interrupt.
Bleksley's Scathing Attack
"Hear me out, it's my turn," Bleksley fired back. "You have shown through your rampant cowardice that you're all about me, me, me. You will not put your nation first. You're too wrapped up; you're too involved in yourself to put your nation first, and perhaps you need to have a look in the mirror, young man."
Explaining his stance on the matter, Armstrong replied, "Well, on the point of Iran, Russia and others, I've been completely unwavering in our ability to go in and fight those countries. But guess what? When it came to fighting Iran, where was our country? Nowhere to be seen."
Armstrong's Defence
A sentiment that left Bleksley frustrated, the panellist exclaimed, "It's about you! You've said you wouldn't go and fight for this country."
"Let me come back to what you're saying," Armstrong replied, saying he does not support Britain's enemies. "I also have a responsibility to be honest with people at home," the TV star clarified. "To tell them, as a 35-year-old man, and people who are younger than me, what's actually going on in the minds of young people across this country."
"They have never had it so difficult; they haven't, and I know a lot of people at home will roll their eyes, but I speak to those kids day in and day out," he continued. "They are struggling, and they are constantly being told: taxed more, you're never going to get a home, your rents are through the roof, your energy bills, your food prices."
"So basically, what I'm saying to people at home is that I want to fight for my country, and I would love to be in a position in a few years' time where the government's fixed a lot of problems back here. We need to fix Britain; we have a duty to our people first. This is the problem."
Viewer Reaction
A conversation that sparked a lot of controversy amongst the GB News panel, viewers quickly took to X to share their opinions on the matter.
"@Alexarmstrong, Ex-Para here mate. Served Queen & country in Afghanistan in 2010. If asked to do the same, I'm with you – not a f*****g chance. Tell that pathetic ex-Met officer to wind his neck in; most of my old friends from the Reg who I served with feel exactly the same," replied one.
"@GBNEWS I'm disgusted by how the 3 panellists were to @Alexarmstrong tonight. They go on about entitlement generation that won't go to war. Why don't you ask us veterans who wouldn't fight again for this country or government again," added a second.
"Sorry I'm with Alex this time, Peter. Flaring up because you don't agree… I didn't like that… @Alexarmstrong handled it brilliantly!" tweeted a third.
