GB News suspends Laurence Fox for vile on-air rant about journalist Ava Evans who was left feeling ‘physically sick’
LAURENCE Fox was suspended by bosses at GB News this morning after launching a vile and sexist tirade against a female journalist.
Ava Evans, a political correspondent at the website Joe, described feeling "physically sick" after hearing Fox rant about her on live TV last night.
Appearing as a guest on the Dan Wootton Tonight show, the broadcaster and covid conspiracy theorist 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.
"They're pathetic and embarrassing.
"Who'd want to s**g that?"
This morning Wootton apologised for the segment and claimed to "regret last night’s exchange".
But within minutes of saying sorry Fox posted a screenshot of Wootton laughing with him about the comments on a private X chat.
Wootton was then suspended by GB News too.
In a statement the channel said: "GB News has suspended Dan Wootton following comments made on his programme by Laurence Fox last night.
"This follows our decision earlier today to formally suspend Mr Fox.
"We are conducting a full investigation."
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Ms Evans posted on X this afternoon: "I haven't had an apology yet if anyone was wondering.
"Really, really grateful to every person who reached out to me. From MPs, to journalists, to friends and people on here.
"I'm overwhelmed by how kind people have been.
"I'm also immensely grateful to the incredibly courageous people who spoke out despite working on the station."
Ofcom confirmed it is assessing whether to launch an investigation into the tirade after receiving swathes of complaints.
A spokesperson for the TV regulator said: "We can confirm we've received a number of complaints about comments made by Laurence Fox on GB News last night.
"We are assessing these complaints against our broadcast rules and will publish the outcome as quickly as possible."
Fox's rant sparked fury across the political divide.
Ministers, shadow ministers and journalists - including at GB News - leapt to Ms Evans' defence, calling out the Fox's misogynistic behaviour.
On Thursday morning MailOnline terminated its contracted with Wootton, who was already suspended its columnist.
A spokesperson for DMG Media, the parent company of MailOnline, 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."
TalkTV's Piers Morgan, who often debates Ms Evans as a guest on his show, said: "Ava is a very talented journalist and delightful person.
"Fox is a disgusting piece of misogynist trash."
Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire said: "Last night's woman hating on air has hit a new low.
"Might want to ask why a national broadcaster would want to keep this man on air.
"Women are mighty and we will never let voices like this silence us."
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said the issue is a matter for Ofcom.
She told Times Radio: "Well as Culture Secretary, you will know that I'm generally in favour of the free press.
"And (in) recent days we've seen the power of investigative journalism.
"You know, issues like the one you raise are matters for Ofcom and that particular broadcaster, like many others, is regulated by Ofcom."
Ms Frazer later said the comments were "inappropriate".
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Responding to a clip of Fox's tirade, Times Radio Political Editor Kate McCann said: "Everything about this is utterly grim.
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"Ava isn’t afraid of criticism or debate - but this is neither of those things.
"It’s bullying, misogynistic arrogance from people who should know better. This should never have been broadcast."