A British advocacy group has announced it will submit over 60,000 complaints to Ofcom regarding a GB News presenter’s controversial comments linking the LGBTQ+ community to pedophiles.
The complaints stem from an episode of the GB News Headliners show in which comedian Josh Howie made the remark during a discussion about a sermon by Mariann Budde, where she called on Donald Trump to show mercy toward LGBTQ+ individuals. Howie controversially stated that, in the spirit of full inclusion, the LGBTQ+ community also includes pedophiles.
The Good Law Project, which launched an online petition that has gathered over 60,000 signatures, plans to send the complaints to Ofcom on Monday, the final working day before the 20-day complaint window closes. However, Ofcom is not required to investigate complaints, regardless of the number received.
The petition criticizes GB News, accusing the network of spreading harmful lies and hate. “GB News is no stranger to spouting hatred and toxic lies,” the petition reads, adding that it’s “clearly illegal to stir up hatred by broadcasting a poisonous myth.”
If Ofcom considers each complaint individually, the 60,000-plus submissions would set a new record, surpassing the 55,000 complaints made over Piers Morgan’s comments on Good Morning Britain, where he questioned Meghan Markle’s claim of suicidal thoughts during her time with the royal family.
In response, Howie clarified that his comments were intended as a joke on a comedy show. He explained that the show features comedians from various political backgrounds, each offering their own perspective on the story.
GB News has faced multiple violations of the Ofcom code in the past, including a £100,000 fine in 2023 for its People’s Forum: The Prime Minister live show with Rishi Sunak. The network’s leadership has criticized the fine, calling it a “direct attack on free speech and journalism.”
