GB News shows hosted by MPs broke Ofcom rules

Five episodes of GB News programmes hosted by serving Tory MPs have been found to have broken broadcasting rules by media regulator Ofcom.

They include two episodes of Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg's State of the Nation, and three of a show fronted by married MPs Esther McVey and Philip Davies.

Politicians are not normally allowed to host news programmes under Ofcom rules.

They are, however, allowed to present current affair shows - with GB News stating the distinction was unclear.

The episodes in question were broadcast in May and June 2023, and included a mix of news and current affairs, Ofcom said.

But during the programmes, the "host politicians acted as newsreaders, news interviewers or news reporters in sequences which clearly constituted news - including reporting breaking news events - without exceptional justification", according to Ofcom investigations.

The regulator concluded: "News was, therefore, not presented with due impartiality."

Its statement added: "Politicians have an inherently partial role in society, and news content presented by them is likely to be viewed by audiences in light of that perceived bias.

"In our view, the use of politicians to present the news risks undermining the integrity and credibility of regulated broadcast news."