ITV GMB Richard Tice and Ed Balls clash slapped with Ofcom complaints over fury to ‘BIASED’ and ‘bullying’ interview
Good Morning Britain has been slapped with dozens of official complaints to Ofcom thanks to presenter Ed Balls’ conduct during an interview with Richard Tice.
On Wednesday, April 30, the Reform UK Deputy Leader appeared on the ITV breakfast show to discuss his party’s chances in the council and by-election races the following day.
There was plenty on the agenda for Balls to put to Tice ahead of – what turned out to be – a historic and victorious day for Nigel Farage’s party.
During the interview, Balls asked if Reform UK was effectively a new incarnation of the Conservatives, what the party had achieved in local government so far, its future plans, and the party’s immigration stance.
However, one of the biggest talking points came when Balls took issue with Tice’s suggestion that Reform UK would look to nationalise British Steel following Labour’s emergency legislation to save the industry.
When Tice refused to lay out a full costing plan live on air, Balls proceeded to talk over the politician and berate him in a rather condescending tone.
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At one point, Balls sarcastically jibed: “You wouldn’t come on our programme with uncosted policies the day before an election! That would be totally irresponsible! That’s what the other parties did! What are your costed proposals?”
The chaotic interaction played out for a number of minutes as Balls continued to speak over Tice, and, as a result, social media was awash with furious reactions.
“Complete and overtly biased approach to interviewing of Richard Tice this morning by @GMB,” one viewer hit out at the time. “Ed Balls and Suzanna Reid this morning. Shame they don’t go after other politicians in the same way!”
A second echoed: “Well that’s 10 minutes of my life I won’t be getting back watching Ed Balls shout continually over Richard Tice, total waste of time bringing him on @GMB.”
A third blasted the GMB host further: “What a predictable interview, Ed ‘red face’ Balls talking over Tice not willing to listen to his answers, but when his wife was on yesterday’s program, not a single question from him, terrible ITV.”
And another threatened action: “Absolute disgrace how this interview went. It’s a disgrace that Mr Balls doesn’t interview with such vigorous questioning of all the other parties. Ofcom complaint coming.” (sic)
It turns out viewers’ threats of action have come to fruition, with this week’s weekly audience report showing 81 complaints were officially lodged with the regulator.
A spokesperson for Ofcom confirmed to GB News: “Complaints related to an interview with Richard Tice, alleging bias and bullying behaviour from interviewer Ed Balls.”
Just 24 hours later, the ITV show found itself in the firing line over claims of bias once again.
This time around, it was thanks to reporter Louise James, who had interviewed Reform UK leader Farage from Widnes following the party’s by-election win in Runcorn & Helsby.
Despite celebrating Sara Pochin’s victory to become the party’s first female MP, James’s line of questioning focussed on Reform UK voters’ supposed inability to “know what they were voting for”.
James also suggested Reform UK had a “woman problem” due to its proportion of male to female voters and MPs.
Farage was applauded for his handling of the ITV reporter’s grilling, and just days later, another Reform UK member in the form of Zia Yusuf received similar plaudits for his handling of supposed aggressive questioning on the show.
Yusuf faced Balls and co-host Ranvir Singh on Monday morning, but the former sparked an almighty row once again for his conduct and questioning of a Reform UK member.
Balls spent the bulk of the interview quizzing Yusuf on “what he would do about Andrew Tate” and his social media activity.
Despite Yusuf explaining he wouldn’t be conjuring up policy live on air, Balls refused to budge and time and time again put the probe to Yusuf, creating frustration among viewers.