Local MP Anna Sabine, speaks out over “frankly racist” GB News
Local MP Anna Sabine, speaks out over “frankly racist” GB News
Anna Sabine MP for Frome and East Somerset has written to the Chief Executive of Ofcom to request a formal investigation into GB News and a recent programme which seemingly drew a link between those with “foreign sounding names” and those in court under sex offences.
The segment was broadcast by GB news on Monday 10th November and Ms Sabine has called on the media regulator to formally investigate the claims made under Section 5.7 of the Ofcom broadcasting code which states: “Views and facts must not be misrepresented”, stating that she believed these requirements were breached by presenter Martin Daubney and his guest Marcus Johnstone.
In her letter Ms Sabine said:
‘During the broadcast, Daubney presented “statistics” which allegedly showed that people with “foreign-sounding surnames” were represented at a proportionally higher rate than those with “British surnames”, particularly in instances of sexual crime. These statistics have not been verified and are not methodologically sound. This bogus research was based on Johnstone choosing nine crown courts and counting the number of “foreign-sounding names” on a given day. Both Daubney and Johnstone admitted that the methodology was flawed, yet still chose to broadcast these outrageous claim’
She went on to note:
‘Immigration and social integration are important and legitimate subjects for discussion. However, such debates must be grounded in verifiable data and handled with care to avoid misleading audiences or inflaming prejudice. It is deeply concerning that GB News chose to air unverified statistics that risk heightening tensions and fuelling hostility toward immigrant communities who contribute significantly to British society and our economy.’
Speaking afterwards about the letter, Sabine who is the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport, called GB News figures “unverified and frankly, racist” and demanded that Ofcom holds the broadcaster to account for their inflaming language and spreading of misinformation.
“Whilst we must support the independence of our media institutions, we hold great pride in this country in our rules around fair reporting and news based in facts and truth. In a world of misinformation, it’s vital that our broadcasters and news programmes are held to a high standard of integrity and accuracy, whether that be the BBC or GB News, and that we insist upon truthfulness before any political angle”
Anna Sabine MP has previously called for more fairness in BBC news discussions and will continue to push for better regulation in the media against the spreading of unsubstantiated claims that risk heightening tensions and fuelling hostility amongst our communities.
End.
Notes to Editors
The Guardian reported on the story today https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/nov/18/ofcom-complaints-gb-news-defendants-foreign-sounding-names