Laurence Fox – latest: GB News suspends presenter Calvin Robinson as Ava Evans issues new response
Fox has said he’s completed a ‘disciplinary hearing’ but cannot ‘speak freely’ about it
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world
Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email
GB News presenter Calvin Robinson has said the broadcaster has suspended him after he shared his support for Dan Wootton over Laurence Fox’s comments on his show.
Robinson, who hosts a religious current affairs programme on the channel, said in a social media post on Friday that he would not appear on Dan Wootton Tonight without the suspended presenter, claiming “if he falls, we all fall”.
Wootton and Fox, an actor-turned-politician, was suspended from the channel after Fox made a series of remarks about political correspondent Ava Evans, which included asking “who would want to shag that?” during Wootton’s show on Tuesday.
On Friday, Fox said he had completed a “disciplinary hearing” ahead of his rumoured sacking from GB News.
Meanwhile, Ms Evans spoke out about the comments, describing them as “unforgiveable”.
Recap: What did Laurence Fox say?
On Wednesday morning, Laurence Fox was suspended from GB News following remarks made in a “vile” rant about journalist Ava Evans.
Dan Wootton, who was presenting the segment, was suspended shortly after by the broadcaster on Wednesday afternoon.
The outburst from Fox about Ms Evans came in response to her discussion on male mental health during an episode of BBC Politics Live on Monday.
Speaking to Wootton during the live broadcast, Fox said: “We’re past the watershed so I can say this: show me a single self-respecting man that would like to climb into bed with that woman, ever, ever, who wasn’t an Incel?
“That little woman has been spoon fed oppression day after day after day, starting with the lie of the gender wage gap. And she is sat there, and I’m going like “if I met you in a bar and that was, like, sentence three, (the) chances of me just walking away are just huge.”
Laughing, Wootton replied: “Well, look, she, I’m just going to provide a touch of balance from her because she did actually respond to this earlier today, saying that she regretted her comments but she didn’t apologise.”
Laurence Fox: How a TV journeyman from an acting dynasty became the hard right’s resident contrarian - Voices
As controversy surrounding Laurence Fox and his “vile” GB News rant continues to unfold, Katie Rosseinsky asks, how did he get here?
The rise and fall of Laurence Fox: from TV journeyman to hard right contrarian
A member of the Fox acting clan once best known for his cosy role as a TV detective, Laurence Fox has swapped ITV for GB News and become an ‘anti-woke’ outrage merchant. How did he get here, asks Katie Rosseinsky?
Laurence Fox expecting “the chop” from channel bosses
Laurence Fox says he is “waiting for the chop” ahead of a disciplinary meeting with GB News channel bosses on Friday.
The 45-year-old took to social media platform X to share his thoughts on the incident, in which he was suspended for a “vile” rant about a woman journalist.
Fox said he is due to have a disciplinary hearing later this week and is “waiting for the chop”. He also claims he has not “heard a word” from the broadcaster.
As of yet, he has refused to directly apologise for the remarks but did say in a social media post: “I own my mistakes and take full responsibility for them.”
Fox also said GB News has forgotten “why they came into existence” and is no longer the “home of free speech”.
Shortly after suspending both Fox and Wootton, the channel said in a statement that they are conducting a full investigation into the incident.
LBC’s Nick Ferrari says ‘Ofcom will be sharpening their teeth’
LBC’s Nick Ferrari has sent a message to Laurence Fox over his “vile” Ava Evans rant.
The radio presenter said that Evans began her career as a researcher on his show and said she is “a far better broadcaster” than Fox “will ever be”.
Ferrari then went on to suggest that Ofcom are likely “sharpening their teeth” and could come down hard on GB News.
“Don’t let them suggest that they are being censored, these are repugnant, antediluvian views that have no place on any broadcast channel,” he said, speaking about Fox’s outburst, which was also described as “vile” by MP Stephen Flynn.
MP presenters ‘accept’ Laurence Fox’s GB News comments, Ava Evans claims
Journalist Ava Evans has claimed that MPs who present GB News and have not spoken out against Laurence Fox’s “vile” comments about her are “accepting” of them.
Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid asked Ms Evans if it is appropriate for Conservative MPs to appear on a channel that has broadcast “this content”.
Ms Evans said the fact that some MPs who present on GB News have not spoken out against what was said by Fox and fellow presenter Dan Wootten implies “they have accepted it”.
Who is Dan Wootton?
The GB News host has been suspended over a Laurence Fox interview in which he laughed at “vile” remarks made about a woman journalist.
But who is Dan Wooton? Barney Davis reports:
All you need to know about Dan Wootton as GB News host suspended over Fox interview
Journalist’ suspension comes after he separately faced allegations of offered colleagues money for sexual images
Fox pays tribute to Harry Potter actor amidst GB News suspension
Laurence Fox has paid tribute to Dumbledore actor Sir Michael Gambon amidst his GB News controversy.
Actor Sir Michael Gambon has died peacefully in hospital aged 82, his family said on Thursday.
Fox, a former actor himself, paid tribute to the late actor on X, previously known as Twitter.
He said: “I had the great honour of working with Sir Michael in Gosford Park. He was the most mischievous, hilarious and intimidating man. When he spoke, the whole room would fall silent. His voice was otherworldly, as was his talent.
“A great loss of a mighty actor. R.I.P
Baroness calls Fox a “d**k” for GB News comments
Baroness Joan Bakewell has called Laurence Fox a “d**k” on Thursday amid his GB News suspension.
Fox responded to a clip of the video, shared on Times Radio, saying: “This is completely acceptable.”
MailOnline axes Wootton as columnist
MailOnline has terminated the contract of columnist Dan Wootton, a spokesperson for the news site’s parent company said.
The 40-year-old had written a regular column for the online outlet since 2021 but it was put on hold last month while the publication investigated allegations that he used a pseudonym and offered colleagues money for sexual material.
The parent company of MailOnline said it had decided to terminate his column and contract.
A spokesperson for DMG Media said: “Following events this week, DMG Media can confirm that Dan Wootton’s freelance column with MailOnline, which had already been paused, has now been terminated, along with his contract.”
Dan Wootton suspended by MailOnline as ‘explicit images’ claims investigated
‘We are continuing to consider a series of allegations which Dan Wootton has strenuously denied,’ says publisher
Dan Wootton fired by MailOnline: full story
Dan Wootton’s contract as a columnist for MailOnline has been terminated:
Dan Wootton fired by MailOnline after GB News Laurence Fox scandal
Both Fox and Wootton were suspended by GB News amid an internal investigation and a probe by regulator Ofcom
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies