“We are conducting a full investigation,” said the broadcaster.
Dan Wootton has been suspended from GB News amid controversy over an episode of his programme last night, which saw Laurence Fox make inappropriate comments about a female journalist.
The former actor spoke of PoliticsJOE correspondent Ava Evans in widely condemned terms, calling her “pathetic and embarrassing” and asking: “Who’d want to shag that?”
Fox was suspended by GB News this morning, but some social media users argued that Wootton should also face consequences for failing to properly challenge the language used by his guest and seemingly smirking at the remarks.
In response to these comments, Wootton said: “I apologise for what was said during the course of my show and should have done this immediately on air. This is not what our channel is about.”
A follow-up statement added: “Having looked at the footage, I can see how inappropriate my reaction to his totally unacceptable remarks appears to be and want to be clear that I was in no way amused by the comments.”
However, Fox hit back at the apology, claiming that he had made known “exactly what I intended to say” before going live, as well as sharing what appears to be a private text between himself and Wootton from after the broadcast.
The brief exchange suggests that Wootton may have laughed about Fox’s comments privately, although the texts have not been verified.
Honesty is the best policy. https://t.co/snrQdY9Zbe pic.twitter.com/gQfg0P3pKA
— Laurence Fox (@LozzaFox) September 27, 2023
In the midst of this unfolding story, Wootton has also been suspended from GB News pending an investigation. He is considered one of the broadcaster’s most popular hosts.
A statement read: “GB News has suspended Dan Wootton following comments made on his programme by Laurence Fox last night. This follows our decision earlier today to formally suspend Mr Fox.
“We are conducting a full investigation.”
Fox has refused to apologise, but has instead opposed what he perceives to be an attempt to “cancel” him.
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