Good Morning Britain has been hit with Ofcom complaints after viewers fumed over one presenter’s comments.
The complaints related to alleged political bias of the presenter. (Image: ITV)
Good Morning Britain has been hit with Ofcom complaints after outrage over a “presenter’s alleged political bias”.
The ITV daytime programme, hosted by Ed Balls and Susanna Reid on March 23, received 55 complaints, the watchdog has now confirmed.
A spokesperson also stated that the complaints related to the presenter’s alleged political bias.
Though it’s unclear exactly what the complaints refer to, the same episode sparked outrage over Ed’s clash with a campaigner against antisemitism.
Dov Forman had appeared via video link on the programme, live from Golders Green in London, after four Jewish charity-owned ambulances were set on fire in an arson attack just hours earlier.
Ed and Susanna had hosted Good Morning Britain that day (Image: ITV)
Since the Hatzola ambulances were set alight in the car park of a synagogue, three men have been charged with arson with intent to damage property and being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.
In the hours after the attack, Dov appeared live on Good Morning Britain, where he spoke to Susanna and Ed.
However, Ed was criticised for his line of questioning, when he asked Dov: “When you see last week the shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy singling out the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, for praying in Trafalgar Square in a Muslim group and saying that is wrong and shouldn’t happen, isn’t that the kind of intolerance and divisiveness which is causing problems in the Jewish community right now? Do you condemn that as well?”
In response, Dov replied: “Well, look, I think the shadow justice secretary was making a point that many people in this country feel about Islamist extremism.”
Dov Forman appeared via video link on GMB (Image: ITV)
He then tried to move the conversation back to the matter at hand, saying, “I won’t get drawn into a debate on whether his words were right or wrong. We are here to talk about the antisemitic attack this morning in the Jewish community.
“Certainly, we need to be careful with our words, but as I say, there are people — including many in the Jewish community – who are worried about the spread of Islamist extremism, which is running rampant across society.”
According to The Sun, Good Morning Britain later apologised to viewers who were offended.
They said: “The intention behind Ed’s question was to ask whether a culture of intolerance was placing Jews at greater risk of harm in the UK. We regret any misunderstanding and apologise for any offence caused.”
The Mirror has approached ITV for comment.
The question Dov was asked sparked outrage (Image: ITV)
Ed’s comments also sparked outrage on social media, with Campaign for Media Standards writing: “After an antisemitic attack on a Jewish volunteer ambulance service, you’d expect focused questions about the rise and threat of antisemitism in the UK. Not @edballs on @ GMB this morning.
“Instead, he tried to shift the discussion – asking whether criticism of a mass iftar event in Trafalgar Square is “causing problems” for the Jewish community.
“This isn’t balance or insight; it’s poor journalism that misses the point and dilutes the seriousness of antisemitism. Well handled by @DovForman for staying on point.”
One viewer fumed: “Balls is a standing disgrace. He has no business hosting a news programme.”
Viewers called for Ed to be sacked (Image: ITV )
Another wrote: “Does @edballs even realise how offensive this was on the morning of an antisemitic hate attack against Jews in Golders Green!”
“What disgraceful whataboutery from Ed Balls,” yet another slammed. Another fumed that it was a “disgusting comment” to make.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.