GMB slammed with hundreds of Ofcom complaints over Nigel Farage clash

26 June 2024 , 12:32
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Watch above as Susanna Reid and Nigel Farage butt heads on GMB
Watch above as Susanna Reid and Nigel Farage butt heads on GMB

GOOD Morning Britain has been slammed with hundreds of Ofcom complaints over last week's Nigel Farage clash.

Reform UK leader Nigel, 60, butted heads with hosts Susanna Reid, 53, and Ed Balls, 57, when he appeared on the ITV breakfast show live from the campaign trail.

GMB has been slammed with Ofcom complaints over last week's Nigel Farage clash eiqrxiqtditeprw
GMB has been slammed with Ofcom complaints over last week's Nigel Farage clashCredit: ITV
The politician appeared on the show ahead of a campaign event in Clacton-on-Sea
The politician appeared on the show ahead of a campaign event in Clacton-on-SeaCredit: EPA

Speaking via video link, the politican was grilled by the anchors over his party's manifesto and candidates' social media activity.

But 471 viewers were left outraged by the way he was treated in the interview and filed complaints with the broadcasting regulator.

Things began to get heated when Susanna asked: "How can you defend 41 candidates for your party found to be social media friends with a fascist leader?"

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Mr Farage replied: "Most of our candidates are not political sophisticates. Having said that, like the Green Party and, like other parties, we’ve had one or two slip through the net that shouldn’t have done.

"There will be a story coming out at lunchtime today, where you will hear that we paid a very large sum of money to a reputable vetting company who didn’t do the work.

"So yes, we’ve got one or two problems but people like each other on Facebook and I’m sorry, I just don’t take that seriously."

The conversation quickly turned to one particular candidate, who had apologised for saying "the country would be far better" if the country hadn't fought in World War II.

Mr Farage said: "In a free society, people are allowed to have different opinions. I disagree vehemently that we should not have participated in World War II but once your name is on the ballot paper, it can't be removed."

Elsewhere, former Labour MP Ed quizzed him on tax, asking who would gain the most from raising the threshold for income tax to £20,000 and inheritance tax to £2million.

Growing frustrated, Mr Farage complained: "This is so typical," accusing him of "playing silly games".

Susanna stepped in to say: "What do you mean 'this is so typical', being asked questions and asked to answer them?"

Yesterday, the GB News host scooped the gong for best news presenter at this year's TRIC Awards, beating Susanna, Matt Chorley and Eamonn Holmes to the top spot.

However, as he made his way to the stage, the I'm A Celebrity star was faced with growing boos from the audience over faint cheers.

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Laughing off the jeers, he joked: "I notice much less hostility than we had last year."

He went on to say: "GB News Breakfast has won.

"And I've won, second year in a row, news presenter of the year and that says to you that GB News is here to stay as a mainstream news broadcaster in this country."

Mr Farage added that his reality TV stint was short-lived, with his sights now set on winning a seat in the General Election.

Mr Farage beat Susanna Reid in winning a prestigious TV award yesterday
Mr Farage beat Susanna Reid in winning a prestigious TV award yesterdayCredit: REX

Callum Wells

UK General Election, Reform UK, Ofcom, ITV, Good Morning Britain

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