GB News presenter Martin Daubney was banned from participating in Andy Burnham's Reddit 'Ask Me Anything' (AMA) session, prompting an explosive on-air reaction alongside co-host Tom Harwood. The incident unfolded on Friday, July 3, 2026, as Burnham, the Makerfield MP widely expected to succeed Keir Starmer as prime minister, hosted the Q&A on the social platform.
Daubney's Ban and On-Air Reaction
Daubney revealed on GB News that Reddit moderators had barred him from the AMA, citing a violation of the subreddit's rule against hate speech. He had posted several questions to Burnham, including one asking whether he would deport Pakistani paedophile Shabir Ahmed on his first day in office. The moderator's decision came within two hours of his posts, Daubney said.
Speaking to Tom Harwood, Daubney fumed: “This session with Andy Burnham is presently underway. Tom, I just found out, I’ve been banned by Reddit! Because I asked a few sticky questions. I asked the prime minister in waiting, ‘Would you deport the Pakistani paedophile Shabir Ahmed on your first day in office? If not, why not?’ And they told me I’ve violated rule one for hate! I’ve been banned within two hours for asking the prime minister if he’d deport a paedophile, Tom!”
Daubney's Questions to Burnham
In his Reddit post, Daubney posed four questions to Burnham:
- “As only 0.086% of the total British population voted for you in Makerfield, is it not fair to throw a general election?”
- “Will you deport Pakistani paedophile Shabir Ahmed on your first day in office? If not, why not?”
- “Is it still your goal to take the UK back into the European Union?”
- “You’ve never voted for welfare cuts in your entire political career. Will your Labour government be for the workshy, not the workers? Cheers!”
Daubney's reference to Shabir Ahmed relates to a notorious case of child sexual exploitation, though the question's framing drew criticism from some quarters.
Harwood's Commentary on Burnham's AMA
Tom Harwood, Daubney's co-host, noted that Burnham had answered three questions on Reddit within six minutes, focusing on his proposed 'No 10 North' office in Manchester, collaboration with devolved leaders, and devolution powers. Harwood remarked: “This is it, Andy Burnham didn’t want to have any questions asked of him at the one speech he’s given since declaring his candidacy for the post of prime minister. He has, however, Martin, in the last six minutes, answered three questions on Reddit.”
Context and Implications
Andy Burnham is widely seen as the frontrunner to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister later in 2026. The AMA was one of his first public engagements since declaring his candidacy. The incident highlights tensions between GB News and Labour figures, as well as the challenges of moderating political discourse on social media platforms like Reddit.
