Good Morning Britain viewers have slammed Richard Madeley, who put forward arguments that Paul Doyle’s sentence was too harsh – despite saying that he didn’t necessarily agree
Richard Madeley came under fire from GMB viewers this morning
Richard Madeley has left some Good Morning Britain viewers outraged after putting forward arguments for why Paul Doyle’s 21-year jail sentence was too harsh. The presenter asked questioned whether the sentence would actually deter someone from “falling into the terrible grip of road rage”, while adding that he didn’t necessarily agree with the arguments he was presenting.
Yesterday, 54-year-old Paul Doyle was sentenced to 21 years and six months in prison after driving into dozens of Liverpool fans at a victory parade. Doyle pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, affray, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent, and three counts of wounding with intent.
Good Morning Britain’s Richard discussed the sentencing news with co-host Susanna Reid and contributors Kevin Maguire and Andrew Pierce on today’s episode, with both Richard and Susanna asking whether the sentence was disproportionate. “I’m not saying I agree with this but we’re having an open discussion here so let’s say it,” Richard said.
Paul Doyle was sentenced to 21 years and six months in prison yesterday(Image: Julia Quenzler / SWNS)
“This was an act that was committed without intent to the extent that he left his home that day, it wasn’t a plan like a murderer might have a plan to take another human being’s life or somebody who’s disqualified from driving has a plan to break the law and go out disqualified and maybe drunk. This guy was dropping a friend off in town and the red mist – for reasons of which that no one can get to the bottom of – the red mist descended.”
Susanna then added: “Except that the conviction is that he acted with intent – that’s part of the reason why the sentence is so long.” Later on in the discussion, Richard said: “Another point then – what about the argument then, this has been an open discussion in radio phone-ins since the sentencing, that it was what you might call a psychotic episode? That he basically went briefly insane.
“That his actions were not deliberately planned and carried through, that the result of a total insane loss of control. Isn’t it odd that that wasn’t put forward in any way, shape or form, let alone as a defence but an explanation during his trial? The judge was scratching his head yesterday basically saying, ‘We don’t know why he did this.'”
At the end of the segment, he suggested: “One last point – again, not saying that I agree with it – punishment, sentences in court, one of the factors in them is to act as a deterrent. How much can you deter somebody from losing their temper? You can deter someone from being a burglar, from committing a sexual offence but can a punishment actually deter someone from losing it and falling into the terrible grip of road rage?”
While Richard did clarify that he personally wasn’t necessarily defending Doyle, viewers took to social media to question why the points were being made. “#GMB Why are they trying to justify and making excuses for this Paul Doyle. I really don’t understand @ GMB isn’t this a NEWS show and the Presenters are supposed to be impartial,” one wrote.
Another compared Richard to Alan Partridge, saying: “‘You can deter someone from being a burglar or even a sex offender, but how do you deter someone from losing their temper?’ Classic Partridge from Madeley there.”
A third said: “WOW – he’s outdone himself this time.” A fourth wrote: “I don’t understand why ITV’s GMB should challenge the sentencing of Paul Doyle. It doesn’t seem right that a TV show should question the sentence the very next day after the court case. #GMB.”
“#gmb Just switched on your show and @richardm56 is defending Paul Doyle for his act of terror,” another wrote.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
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