A segment on GB News has sparked outrage after commentator Josh Howie made remarks linking LGBTQ+ people to paedophiles. The comments, aired last month on the show Headliners, led to a wave of complaints, with over 60,000 people submitting formal grievances to Ofcom, the UK’s broadcasting regulator.
During the segment, Howie referenced a statement by Episcopalian bishop Mariann Budde, who had urged former U.S. President Donald Trump to show support for LGBTQ+ individuals. In response, Howie quipped, “I just want to say that that includes paedos,” a remark that was widely condemned as offensive and dangerous.
The Good Law Project, a non-profit organization, led a campaign urging the public to file complaints against GB News, arguing that the network was spreading harmful misinformation and hate. The number of complaints is expected to surpass the 54,595 filed against Piers Morgan’s controversial comments about Meghan Markle in 2021, making it one of Ofcom’s most significant cases to date.
Jo Maugham, executive director of the Good Law Project, criticized GB News for failing to challenge Howie’s statement during the broadcast. Instead, he claimed, the network allowed him to reinforce his stance. “It’s shocking that GB News not only aired such rhetoric but also encouraged Howie to double down,” Maugham said. “This is why so many people have stepped forward to voice their outrage.”
In response to the backlash, Howie defended his remarks on social media, claiming they were meant as a joke within the context of a comedy show. He insisted that his comments had been taken out of context and that he was referring specifically to the “+” in LGBTQ+. However, he acknowledged that his words may have been misinterpreted, leading to unintended harm. “I’m genuinely sorry that anyone thought I was referring to LGB people,” he said in a later GB News broadcast on February 9.
Despite the apology, the controversy continued to grow, with critics accusing GB News of fostering divisive rhetoric. The network has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the incident.
The situation has reignited debates about media responsibility and the regulation of harmful content on television. Ofcom is now reviewing the complaints and will determine whether GB News violated broadcasting standards.