GB News has received over 4,000 complaints to media regulator Ofcom after airing a segment that linked 'foreign-sounding names' to defendants in court for sex offences. The segment, presented by Martin Daubney on Nigel Farage's show, featured unscientific research counting 'non-British-sounding surnames' at nine crown courts over six weeks.
Liberal Democrat MP Anna Sabine described the research as 'unverified and frankly racist', urging Ofcom to investigate whether GB News breached the broadcasting code. The code requires that 'views and facts must not be misrepresented'. Sabine said the channel 'peddled unverified and frankly racist statistics' that risk inflaming tensions.
The research, compiled by solicitor Marcus Johnstone, claimed that in Birmingham, 51% of defendants had 'non-British' sounding names, with similar figures in Bradford (55%) and Snaresbrook (56%). For sex offences specifically, the proportion was 41% in Bradford and 31% in Sheffield. Johnstone acknowledged the analysis was 'not scientific' but said it was the best available due to a lack of government data.
GB News defended the segment, calling Sabine's complaint 'politically motivated'. A spokesperson said the channel takes compliance seriously and will not let such complaints shape its journalism. Ofcom confirmed it is assessing the complaints but has not yet decided whether to launch a formal investigation.
