GB News has suspended both Laurence Fox and Dan Wootton following misogynistic comments made on Wooton’s show by Fox about a female journalist.
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon the broadcaster said: “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.”
The comments in question were aimed at online news site Joe’s political correspondent Ava Evans, who Fox described as a “little woman” during an episode of Dan Wootton Tonight on Tuesday, before making further derogatory comments including: “Show me a single self-respecting man who would like to climb into bed with that woman” and “Who would want to sh*g that?”
Wootton was heard laughing during the exchange and later apologised for the remarks, saying he “regretted” the interview.
Leeds-born actor-turned-fringe politician Fox, on the other hand, stood his ground on Twitter on Tuesday night:
The exchange was ostensibly about the UK’s male suicide crisis, framing Evans as a “hard left” commentator who had shrugged off the crisis after she questioned the need for a ‘minister for men’ on the BBC.
Evans told Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine show on Wednesday: “I’m really hurt by it… I’m shocked about by it, I’m shocked that it went out.”
Evans had previously taken to Twitter/X to express disbelief that “Laurence Fox just did a whole speech on GB News on why men apparently won’t shag me ?” adding “I feel physically sick.”
GB News has apologised for the incident, saying in a statement: “What he said does not reflect our values and we apologise unreservedly for the comments and the offence they have caused,” said the channel in a statement. “We have launched an investigation and will be apologising to the individual involved.”
Media regulator Ofcom said it has received “a number of complaints” about Fox’s comments, which it is assessing.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, Evans said she still hadn’t received an apology herself:
