GB News host ‘fundamentally rejects’ guest’s Pride criticism

GB News host Alex Armstrong has said he “fundamentally rejects” the comments which guest Caroline Farrow shared about gay Pride in a recent episode.

On a 5 July episode of Alex Armstrong Tonight, the presenter was joined by former Lib Dem councillor Mathew Hulbert, and Farrow, a Catholic journalist and Manager in Campaigns Global for CitizenGO, a platform “defending life, family, and freedom”.

During a discussion about Pride, Farrow said: “The problem is that Pride is not about gay rights. It has become about celebrating every single sexuality that isn’t heterosexuality, including some very bizarre and unhealthy kinks and quirks, you know, like furries and bestiality and even minor attracted, they call themselves, minor attracted people. Paedophiles.”

Hulbert could be heard saying: “Not at all.”

Armstrong then said: “I went to Pride last year and filmed it for GB News. Actually, I would say the overwhelming amount of people at Pride were there for good reasons. I don’t think it was full of paedophiles and everything, I’m sure there are nefarious people.”

GB News last week told PinkNews: “These comments were expressed within a live debate by a contributor. They were her own views, and do not reflect the views or editorial position of GB News. Anyone watching the debate would have noted the comments were robustly and repeatedly challenged by two other contributors. GB News takes its responsibilities as a regulated broadcaster seriously and complies with all of its obligations under the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.”

Alex Armstrong addresses ‘outrage’

During the 12 July episode of Alex Armstrong Tonight, he addressed what Farrow had said.

He told viewers: “Tonight I want to address outrage from the LGBT community and press over comments made by one of our guests last weekend. We welcome robust and difficult debates on this channel, and particularly on this show. It is not, and never will be, an echo chamber for anybody. That’s why we always have a dissenting voice on all of my shows, want you to hear all aspects of every debate.

“That’s made it even more important, when guests come on my show and make statements that are considered homophobic or deeply offensive, that they are challenged and balanced by me and my guests if they do that. But sometimes I feel it’s necessary to go a bit further, and I’m going to do that tonight.

“Comments made by guests last weekend conflated gay pride with the celebration of paedophilia. This is an age-old gay trope that’s been used over a number of years to demonise and slander gay people. And as I said to the guest during that segment, it is a statement I fundamentally reject and have not witnessed when attending Pride myself.

“The debate we were meant to be having was around whether or not Pride was suitable for children. Those comments by guests had no place in that discussion, and in my opinion, were lazy and offensive arguments that don’t reflect my views or the views of this channel, where many LGBT people also work.

He continued: “What I do take serious issue with is when social media commentators and activist groups claim that I made those statements or deliberately try to misrepresent my views in other ways to try and paint me as homophobic. I will not be smeared by people and media who are politically motivated to try and cancel me for simply opposing their political ideology.

“As many of you already know, I am openly gay. I very, very rarely talk about it or discuss my sexuality because I believe it is such a small part of my character. And frankly, I don’t think you, the British public, care about it or have any interest in who I’m attracted to. Nor does being gay have any bearing on my politics, and nor should it ever.

“I maintain that Pride is not suitable for children. It contains adult material and products, even on so-called family day. I have witnessed it myself. There’s a lot of alcohol, scantily dressed individuals, and political propaganda-all things I don’t believe are suitable for children.”

PinkNews has contacted GB News for further comment.

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