Conservative MPs have been paid close to £350,000 for making appearances on GB News since the start of 2023, analysis by Byline Times shows.
The news channel was found to have breached impartiality rules by regulator Ofcom for the third time since its launch in 2021 after two fellow Conservative MPs interviewed the chancellor ahead of the spring budget.
The pre-recorded interview with Jeremy Hunt by former pensions minister Esther McVey and backbencher Philip Davies was broadcast on their Saturday morning show in March prompting 45 complaints.
GB News said it was disappointed with the ruling and disagreed with Ofcom’s definition of due impartiality but added that it would “reflect on Ofcom’s view”.
Ofcom said GB News should have “taken additional steps to ensure that due impartiality was preserved” and found that “the programme was overwhelmingly reflective of the viewpoints of different strands of opinion within the Conservative Party”.
Writing in Byline Times, Max Colbert and Josiah Mortimer note that the “revolving door between the channel and politicians raises serious questions about the appropriateness of public officials continuing to accept lucrative positions with the broadcaster”.
Tory MPs have been paid nearly £350,000 for appearances on GB News since the start of 2023, and it also acts as an unofficial home for the small but vocal number of Conservatives on the further right of the Party, who have been increasingly playing to the anti-immigration and culture war oriented audiences of parties like Reform and Reclaim.
It begs the question: “When will Conservative politicians end their love affair with GB News?”
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