GB News has decided to terminate the employment of Laurence Fox and Calvin Robinson due to their involvement in a recent controversy. The decision follows comments made by Fox during a show, which sparked public outrage.
Last week, Laurence Fox, a former actor and political activist, found himself at the center of a controversy after he made comments on air about a female journalist, Ava Evans. During his appearance on Dan Wootton's show, Fox asked, "What self-respecting man would climb into bed with Ava Evans?" This remark garnered significant attention and criticism.
Calvin Robinson, another host at GB News, was also suspended after voicing his support for Fox and Wootton. However, he has now been dismissed as well.
Responding to his termination on social media, Robinson expressed his disappointment, stating, "How long can a station keep calling itself 'the home of free speech' when it continues to engage in cancel culture?" He further defended his stance, emphasizing his loyalty to his colleagues.
The controversy surrounding Fox's comments led to more than 8,800 complaints to the media regulator Ofcom, prompting an investigation into the matter.
In a video released last Thursday, Laurence Fox issued an apology for his choice of words and anticipated his dismissal. He criticized GB News for not upholding free speech, despite branding itself as such, and accused the network of promoting cancel culture.
Concurrently, on the same day as the termination announcement, Fox was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit criminal damage to Ulez traffic cameras.
Last week also saw the suspension of Dan Wootton, who later apologized for his reaction to Fox's comments. GB News has yet to conclude its internal investigation into Wootton's role in the controversy.
In a statement, GB News confirmed the termination of Laurence Fox and Calvin Robinson's employment following internal investigations. The network continues to probe Dan Wootton's involvement.
The incident that led to Fox's controversial remarks occurred when Wootton asked for Fox's opinion on Ava Evans' appearance on BBC's Politics Live. Evans had engaged in a discussion about men's mental health and suicide, advocating for a dedicated minister for men. This prompted a debate, during which Evans argued that such suggestions perpetuate the "culture war" and create hostility towards women.
In response, Fox made his now-infamous remark, stating, "Show me a single self-respecting man that would like to climb into bed with that woman - ever, ever." He continued to criticize her, drawing backlash for his comments.
GB News CEO Angelos Frangopoulos condemned Fox's remarks as "appalling" and beyond the boundaries of acceptable discourse. He emphasized GB News' commitment to free speech but underscored the importance of maintaining respectful conversations.
GB News, which launched in June 2021 with a promise to change the landscape of news and debate in the UK, has grown to 2.8 million viewers as of last month. The network's editorial charter values freedom of expression but not at the cost of causing unjustifiable offense or harm to its audience.
Laurence Fox, known for his acting career, transitioned into a right-wing commentator, activist, and aspiring politician in recent years. Despite his controversial statements, he established the Reclaim Party and ran for London mayor in 2021 and subsequently participated in a by-election for the MP seat in Uxbridge and South Ruislip.
The termination of Fox and Robinson's employment marks a significant development in GB News' ongoing commitment to maintaining its standards while navigating the challenges of free speech in the media landscape.
Published: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67009045
Date Published: Friday 6 October 2023
Image courtesy of: Karen Roe
