Welsh Tory leader pens furious letter demanding end to GB News ban on Senedd TVs

Nigel Farage blasts decision to ban GB News from Senedd TVs

Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies has penned a letter demanding the ban on GB News from the Senedd TVs is reversed.

The channel was removed from the internal television system at the Welsh Parliament earlier this month.

A spokesman for the Senedd’s presiding officer Elin Jones said that GB News was taken off following a broadcast that was “contrary to our parliament’s values”.

Senedd members and staff wanting to watch GB News must now do so online.

But in a letter to Ms Jones, Mr Davies raised concerns the move “could be open to legal challenge”.

He said: “Firstly, while subtitle facilities are available to those watching GB News on television, this is not currently provided on streaming services.

“As a result, staff and members who are deaf or hard of hearing will be excluded.

“There are similar concerns regarding audio description services for those who are blind or partially sighted.

“This raises the possibility that your decision breaches equalities legislation.”

Mr Davies asked Ms Jones to confirm “what, if any, consideration was given to those with disabilities prior to your decision” and if legal advice was sought.

He added: “I reiterate my previous comments and suggest that the most effective way to address these concerns is for the Senedd to reinstate GB News.”

Sharing his letter on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: “The Senedd GB News ban could be against the law. GB News must be reinstated immediately.”

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The Welsh Conservative leader has been a fierce critic of the GB News ban. 

In a previous letter, Mr Davies described the decision as “incredibly disturbing”.

He branded it “censorship” and warned it sets a “dangerous precedent”.

When the ban came into force earlier this month, a spokesman for Ms Jones said: “GB News has been removed from the Senedd’s internal television system following a recent broadcast that was deliberately offensive, demeaning to public debate and contrary to our parliament’s values.

“There are now several ongoing Ofcom investigations into the channel.

“The commission will discuss the issue at a future meeting, and staff and members who wish to view GB News will still be able to do so online in the Senedd.”

Actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox was sacked by GB News earlier this month following comments he made on-air about a female journalist.

The decision to ban the channel will be considered by the Senedd’s cross-party commission at a later date.

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