GB News: Philip Davies responds to Andrew Neil's comments

Mr Neil, who was founding chairman of GB News and a presenter on the channel before his resignation shortly after the launch, told peers he would never have allowed politicians to present political programmes or interview each other.

Married couple Philip Davies, who is Shipley's Conservative MP, and Cabinet minister Esther McVey hosted shows on GB News - but they are no longer part of the line-up.

Mr Davies responded to Mr Neil's comments, saying: "Those who don't like the programmes on the channel don't have to watch them."

Giving evidence to the Lords Communications and Digital Committee's inquiry into the future of news, Mr Neil was questioned about the issue of due impartiality.

He told peers: "I'm surprised at how tolerant Ofcom has been of GB News.

"It may be because the rest of the broadcast universe is on the centre, centre-left so it gave GB news a bit more leeway to settle down.

"I am surprised that any regulator would allow politicians sitting in the Houses of Parliament to present political TV programmes.

"If I had stayed as chairman it would not have happened because I would not have had any politician present a TV show in the first place, and I would certainly never have allowed politicians to interview politicians from the same party.

"I just find that incredible and I think on these areas Ofcom needs to find a backbone and quick."

In response, Mr Davies told the T&A he considered Mr Neil to be a "brilliant journalist and broadcaster... and he is perfectly entitled to his point of view".

He added: "GB News has proved to be a very popular news and current affairs channel which is regulated by Ofcom.

"Those who don't like the programmes on the channel don't have to watch them.

"They can choose other channels or even the off button on their remote control if they so desire.

"But those who do like the content on the channel should be free to watch it whether Mr Neil - or anyone else for that matter - approves or not.

"It is called freedom of choice and it is a wonderful thing."

In response to Mr Neil's remarks, a spokesperson for GB News said: "GB News does not comment on former staff."

An Ofcom spokesperson added: "We don't recognise this characterisation of our approach, given we've found GB News in breach of our rules 11 times.

"We'll shortly publish new research into what viewers and listeners think about politicians presenting programmes."

Shows broke broadcasting rules

Last month, episodes of GB News programmes presented by Conservative MPs were found to have broken broadcasting rules by them acting as newsreaders.

Ofcom's probe involved shows presented by Mr Davies and minister without portfolio Mrs McVey, as well as former House of Commons leader Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, and the channel was warned about potential sanctions if there are further breaches.

Mr Davies and his wife Esther McVey in 2019 (Image: PA)

Ofcom's report said: "All five programmes in question contained a mix of news and current affairs content.

"We found that host politicians acted as newsreaders, news interviewers or news reporters in sequences which clearly constituted news - including reporting breaking news events - without exceptional justification.

"News was, therefore, not presented with due impartiality.

"Politicians have an inherently partial role in society and news content presented by them is likely to be viewed by audiences in light of that perceived bias.

"In our view, the use of politicians to present the news risks undermining the integrity and credibility of regulated broadcast news."

At the time, a spokesperson for GB News said: "Ofcom is obliged by law to promote free speech and media plurality, and to ensure that alternative voices are heard.

"Its latest decisions, in some cases a year after the programme aired, contravene those duties."

They said the channel "takes its obligations very seriously" and is committed to having politicians as presenters on the channel.