Ofcom has launched an investigation into GB News following a guest's remarks that appeared to link pride parades with bestiality and paedophilia, after receiving more than 12,000 complaints—believed to be a record for a single programme. The comments, made by Caroline Farrow during a discussion on the Alex Armstrong Tonight show, sparked widespread outrage, including from Green party leader Zack Polanski and RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Bimini.
What Happened
Farrow, a Catholic commentator and campaigns manager for the ultra-conservative advocacy group CitizenGO, made the remarks during a segment aired after the Pride in London march in July. Speaking on the show, she claimed the march was “not about gay rights” but had “become about celebrating every single sexuality that isn’t heterosexuality.” She added that this included “some very bizarre and unhealthy kinks and quirks, you know, like furries and bestiality and even minor-attracted, they call themselves minor-attracted people, you know, paedophiles.”
The remarks were challenged at the time by the show’s presenter, Alex Armstrong, who said “the overwhelming amount of people at pride were there for good reasons” and that he did not think it was “full of paedophiles.” On a later show, Armstrong went further, stating: “Comments made by guests last weekend conflated gay pride with the celebration of paedophilia. This is an age-old gay trope that’s been used over a number of years to demonise and slander gay people. Those comments by guests had no place in that discussion.”
Investigation and Complaints
Ofcom confirmed to the Guardian that it was investigating the programme for potential breaches of broadcasting standards, which dictate that “material which may cause offence is justified by the context.” The edition of the show containing the remarks has since been removed from YouTube. The 12,000-plus complaints mark a significant escalation, prompting an open letter from Polanski and Bimini calling on Ofcom to address the “dangerous” disinformation.
Rachel Millward, deputy leader of the Green party, welcomed Ofcom’s decision. “Zack was right to complain about it at the time,” she said. “The suggestion that gay people are somehow a particular threat to children is baseless, irresponsible and deeply harmful. GB News is a regulated broadcaster, and broadcasters are supposed to meet basic professional standards. That should include not using their platform to spread hateful lies about a marginalised group.”
GB News Response
GB News has been approached for comment, but at the time of the broadcast, a spokesperson said: “These comments were expressed within a live debate by a contributor. They were her own views, and do not reflect the views or editorial position of GB News. Anyone watching the debate would have noted the comments were robustly and repeatedly challenged by two other contributors.”
This is not the first time GB News has faced scrutiny over such remarks. Last year, Ofcom ruled that the channel breached the broadcasting code after presenter Josh Howie said that the “full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons” at a church would “include paedos.” However, sanctions were not imposed because GB News had already broadcast an apology and a fuller discussion about the context within weeks.
Broader Context and Pressure on Ofcom
The investigation comes amid increased pressure on Ofcom to enforce broadcasting rules. The regulator is also examining a repeat of GB News’s interview with Donald Trump, but declined to investigate a claim by a presenter that there had been no riot in Belfast in June, despite cars and houses being set alight, attacks on police, and families fleeing their homes. The previous Ofcom chair, Conservative peer Michael Grade, who left the post in April, accused GB News’s critics of seeking to restrict free speech to a “liberal, Islington consensus.”
The outcome of the investigation could set a precedent for how broadcasters handle offensive content in live debates, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ issues. Ofcom’s decision will be closely watched by advocacy groups and media watchdogs, as it may influence future regulatory actions against GB News and other channels.
