Television presenter Dan Wootton has announced his departure from GB News to establish an independent platform, criticizing media regulator Ofcom for censorship.
This decision follows Ofcom’s ruling that a segment on Dan Wootton Tonight, featuring actor turned politician Laurence Fox making “misogynistic” remarks about journalist Ava Evans, breached broadcasting rules.
In September, Fox, leader of the rightwing Reclaim party, made derogatory comments about Evans during a conversation on the show, prompting 8,867 complaints to Ofcom, marking it as the most complained-about TV event of the year.
Fox and Wootton, both of whom issued apologies, faced suspension from the channel following the controversial broadcast.
Fox was later dismissed from his position. On Tuesday, Wootton announced his departure from GB News, revealing plans to launch his independent platform, www.danwoottonoutspoken.com.
He stated that the platform would feature a new daily news and opinion show, emphasizing that it would not be subject to regulation by what he referred to as “communist censors.”
“However, yesterday’s chilling Ofcom report raises far bigger issues. How can any British broadcaster truly stand for freedom of expression when state goons have the power to decide what you are and are not allowed to say on air?
Unlike the freedoms enjoyed in the US thanks to the fiFirst Amendmenthow can these media outlets ever be anything other than controlled opposition?”
In a note sent to staff by GB News, the rightwing broadcaster said:
“Dan Wootton joined GB News before its launch and was a part of the first on-air lineup. Dan is no longer employed by GB News, and we thank him for his contribution and wish him well with his future endeavors.”
