GB News is facing an Ofcom investigation after a guest on a programme linked Pride parades to bestiality and paedophilia, prompting more than 12,000 complaints. The media regulator announced on Monday that it had launched the investigation into the programme that aired on July 5.
Guest's comments spark outrage
Catholic media commentator Caroline Farrow told the news anchor that Pride was "not about gay rights" and had instead "become about celebrating every single sexuality that isn't heterosexuality." She went on to say: "Including some very bizarre and unhealthy kinks and quirks, you know, like furries and bestiality, and even minor-attracted – they call themselves minor-attracted. You know, paedophiles."
The comments drew criticism from Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who called them "dangerous" and "abhorrent", and RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Bimini, among others who signed a letter urging Ofcom to hold the channel to account.
Presenter challenges comments
During the broadcast, presenter Alex Armstrong interrupted the segment and challenged Farrow's comments. He replied: "I went to Pride last year and filmed it for GB News. Actually, I would say the overwhelming amount of people at Pride were there for good reasons. I don't think it was full of paedophiles and everything, I'm sure there are nefarious people."
Armstrong later addressed the comments in a subsequent broadcast, describing them as an "age-old gay trope". He said: "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."
GB News responds
At the time, GB News said in a statement: "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."
Viewers expressed their anger when the programme aired, with one writing on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Ironically, she is the reason pride is still necessary." Another said the comments were "horrific," while a third argued: "Absolutely disgusting that they are allowed to get away with this."
The network has since removed the videos from its YouTube channel. In a statement, GB News said: "These investigations have been the subject of an orchestrated campaign against GB News. As a regulated broadcaster, GB News takes its regulatory obligations seriously and complies fully with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code. GB News is Britain's number one news channel and has proudly occupied this position for the last 12 months. We intend to robustly defend these investigations."
