Amid Russell Brand scandal, pressure is mounting for GB News and Dan Wootton

TW: mentions of bullying, harassment

Since July 2023, GB News has been under pressure about what to do about one of their star presenters, Dan Wootton. Wootton has been at the centre of a series of articles from independent publication Byline Times in which they reveal his alleged catfishing of former colleagues, bullying, harassment and filming of sexual acts without the participant’s consent.

So far, in September 2023, Wootton has denied all allegations and has only commented on them once on his show, back in July. Despite the strong accusations, GB News has made the choice to keep him on air every night.

Wootton and GB News may have thought that the scandal was slowly dying, after it never really caught the mainstream media’s attention, but the allegations made against Russell Brand have dragged Wootton back in the spotlight.

GB News receives letter from MP

On Tuesday 19 September, Dame Caroline Dinenage, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee sent a letter to the boss of GB News, Angelos Frangopoulos.

In this letter, the channel is asked point blank to provide a clear outline of what procedures they will be taking concerning the allegations made against Dan Wootton. This letter also follows a previous letter written to The Sun regarding Dan Wootton’s time as their employee.

In the letter received by GB News on 19 September, Dame Caroline Dinenage writes:

We would, therefore, be grateful if you could set out to us what, if any, investigations or processes have been undertaken since the recent complaints about Mr Wootton were publically raised, and details of the policies and procedures available to staff at GB News in the event they seek to raise issues about the conduct of individuals or the culture at the organisation.

Russell Brand drags GB News in his scandal

In the same letter, Dame Dinenage mentions another incident, this time relating to the allegations made against presenter and TV personality Russell Brand. The mention is motivated by Beverley Turner open support the Brand in a series of tweet.

Dinenage writes:

We are also aware that, during the weekend of 16/17 September, GB News presenters opted to use their social media platforms to defend Russell Brand against accusations of rape and sexual assault

She continues:

While GB News is not responsible for this content, it is concerning that Beverley Turner, who described Mr Brand as “a hero” and invited him to appear on her show, subsequently fronted GB News’s coverage of the allegations regarding Mr Brand on the morning of 18 September

Ending on:

we remain concerned that having a presenter so clearly supporting an individual who is the subject of intense media coverage, including seeking their appearance on the show, undermines any perception of due impartiality in the broadcasting

Once again the Culture, Media and Sport Committee demands that GB News give a clear view of the ‘discussions’ the channel intends to have with its ‘presenters on their responsibilities on due impartiality and professionalism when seeking to front coverage of news events, and any actions you intend to take in response to these issues.’

Read more: Russell Brand drags Dan Wootton, Huw Edwards and Phillip Schofield back under the spotlight

Pressure coming from the public too

On X, as the Dan Wootton scandal was slowly fading, comments asking about it were becoming scarce. However, since GB News and Dan Wootton himself have chosen to cover the Brand affair extensively, comments from viewers or X users have multiplied.

Furthermore, as Dan Wootton covers the Brand scandal on his show, comments under his own posts become as demanding of answers as Dame Dinenage.

As the pressure mounts, what will GB News do?

Read more:

⋙ Russell Brand and Dan Wootton's scandals already have more similarities than you'd expect

⋙ Dan Wootton could be faking his whole 'hard-right' personality on GB News, close source reveals

Sources:

committees.parliament.uk

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