In a series of unfortunate events for GB News, the right-wing channel finds itself grappling with yet another suspension of one of its presenters. Calvin Robinson, a regular on GB News and an Anglo-Catholic deacon, has become the third presenter to be suspended amidst the fallout from controversial remarks made on air, primarily by fellow presenter Laurence Fox.
Calvin Robinson’s Suspension
Robinson’s suspension was announced by the presenter himself on Twitter, where he succinctly stated, “I have been suspended from GB News.” This came shortly after Robinson had released a lengthy statement on the platform, expressing his reluctance to appear on Dan Wootton’s GB News program due to the presenter’s involvement in the channel’s foundation.
Wootton’s Suspension
Dan Wootton, who had a significant role in establishing GB News, was previously suspended by the channel following misogynistic comments made by Laurence Fox. Fox’s on-air comments, questioning the integrity of a female reporter, led to both his and Wootton’s suspensions.
Support for Wootton and Concerns for GB News
Prior to his suspension, Calvin Robinson had urged his GB News colleagues to stand in solidarity with Dan Wootton, emphasizing that supporting Wootton was tantamount to upholding the very idea of GB News. Robinson stated, “If he falls, we all fall,” underscoring the precarious situation facing the channel.
Challenges and Investigations
GB News has faced immense social media backlash in the wake of Laurence Fox’s comments. While Dan Wootton issued an apology to reporter Ava Evans, claiming he had laughed in “shock and surprise,” leaked messages from Fox suggested that the segment might have been pre-planned. Wootton, who also faced controversy for using a pseudonym to send explicit messages to former colleagues, was subsequently sacked by MailOnline.
The fallout from Fox’s comments has prompted both an internal inquiry by GB News and a formal investigation by Ofcom, the regulator, following numerous complaints. GB News CEO Angelos Frangopoulos expressed his dismay at Fox’s remarks, stating that they had crossed the limits of acceptability and that the handling of the situation was far from ideal.
As GB News navigates this challenging period, it remains to be seen how the channel will address the repercussions of its presenters’ controversial comments and suspensions.