Nigel Farage insists he is ‘prepared’ for combat with Ofcom over probe | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Nigel Farage has warned Ofcom “I’m ready” for a combat after the regulator launched an investigation into his TV programme.

The TV host and former UKIP and Brexit Party chief hit out throughout his GB News programme on Monday night time.

He stated: “Ofcom, you have got this wrong. I would point out that tonight is the 550th episode of Farage. We have never had a single complaint upheld against this programme for due impartiality, or indeed for anything else.

“So, why now? Why two-and-a-half-years into this job have Ofcom decided to do this? Could it have something to do with the fact there is an election this year? And perhaps there’s a bit of establishment pressure being out on the regulator? I don’t know but I’ll tell you what folks. You want to come and pick a fight with me? I’m ready anytime you like.”

Ofcom stated it would examine Mr Farage’s programme on the channel on January 17.

A spokesman for the regulator stated: “We are investigating whether this programme broke our rules requiring news and current affairs to be presented with due impartiality, and preventing politicians from acting as news presenters.”

It comes on the identical day that Ofcom stated Laurence Fox’s “misogynistic” feedback about feminine journalist Ava Evans on GB News’ Dan Wootton Tonight broke broadcasting guidelines.

The remarks about political correspondent Ms Evans made by the actor turned politician throughout an episode of the programme on September 26 final yr, by which he requested “Who would want to shag that?”, obtained 8,867 complaints.

Fox and presenter Wootton have been suspended by GB News after the printed and Fox was later sacked from the channel.

Neither apologised whereas on air, however did subsequently provide apologies.

Ofcom stated it has “significant concerns about GB News’ editorial control of its live output” and has requested a gathering with the broadcaster to debate its “compliance practices” on this subject.

The media watchdog’s investigation discovered that Wootton’s and GB News’ accounts of why an apology was not learn out “differed” and famous no different “editorial techniques” have been used to handle the potential for offence.

“We considered this indicated that GB News’ editorial control of this live programme had been inadequate,” it added.

Fox and presenter Wootton have been suspended by GB News after the printed and Fox was later sacked from the channel.

Neither apologised whereas on air, however did subsequently provide apologies.

Ofcom stated it has “significant concerns about GB News’ editorial control of its live output” and has requested a gathering with the broadcaster to debate its “compliance practices” on this subject.

The media watchdog’s investigation discovered that Wootton’s and GB News’ accounts of why an apology was not learn out “differed” and famous no different “editorial techniques” have been used to handle the potential for offence.

“We considered this indicated that GB News’ editorial control of this live programme had been inadequate,” it added.

In a ruling, the regulator stated Fox’s feedback “constituted a highly personal attack on Ms Evans and were potentially highly offensive to viewers”.

“They reduced her contribution to a broadcast discussion on mental health – in her professional capacity as a political journalist – to a judgment on whether she, or women like her who publicly expressed their political opinions, were sexually desirable to men,” Ofcom added.

Following the ruling, Fox stated in a press release posted to X, previously Twitter: “I’m not overly bothered about this anymore.

“I could have expressed myself better, that’s life and I’ve said my bit.

“I still think it’s one of the biggest pieces of confected outrage I’ve ever witnessed, but in the interests of openness and transparency.”

He claimed that “everything” he stated on air was “discussed and agreed with the production team beforehand” they usually have been “laughing and joking” about it.

He additionally alleged the channel had a delay so they may have “cut the feed, but they didn’t”.