The UK's media regulator Ofcom has launched an assessment into GB News following multiple complaints about a segment that presented unscientific research counting defendants with foreign-sounding names in crown courts.
Controversial Broadcast Sparks Outrage
The segment aired on Monday last week during Martin Daubney's presentation of Nigel Farage's show. Daubney, a former Brexit Party MEP, introduced what he described as genuinely shocking research compiled by solicitor Marcus Johnstone.
The methodology involved counting non-British-sounding surnames at nine crown courts over a six-week period. Daubney acknowledged the methodology was incomplete but blamed the government for refusing to release nationality data on defendants.
Political Backlash and Racism Accusations
Liberal Democrat MP Anna Sabine, the party's culture, media and sport spokesperson, submitted one of the formal complaints to Ofcom. She condemned the research methods as unverified and frankly racist.
Sabine stated: GB News peddled unverified and frankly racist statistics to thousands grounded in dodgy methods. Turning up to court and counting people with names that don't sound British to you is no way to engage with the complex and sensitive topic of immigration.
Questionable Statistics Revealed
The research presented alarming figures suggesting high proportions of defendants with foreign-sounding names:
- 51% in Birmingham crown court
- 55% in Bradford crown court
- 56% in Snaresbrook crown court, east London
For sex offence charges specifically, the research claimed 41% of defendants in Bradford and 31% in Sheffield had non-British sounding names.
Broadcaster and Regulator Response
GB News defended its position, stating: Unlike some other broadcasters, GB News takes its compliance seriously. We will never let politically motivated complaints by political parties shape our journalism.
Ofcom confirmed it is assessing the complaints against our rules but hasn't yet decided whether to launch a full investigation. The regulator will examine potential breaches of the broadcasting code requiring that views and facts must not be misrepresented.
The controversy emerges as Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy pressures Ofcom to tackle misleading content more effectively. GB News has become the UK's leading news channel with an average audience of approximately 91,000 people last month, surpassing both Sky News and BBC News.
