Good Morning Britain hit with over 8,000 Ofcom complaints over ‘uncomfortable’ interview

The topic of conversation on the programme was far-right violence and rioting.

The complaints concern host Ed Balls' handling of an interview with MP for Coventry South, Zarah Sultana, about the far-right violence that broke out last week following the Southport stabbings.

The former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer clashed with Ms Sultana, during the discussion, and she later accused him of using "sneering contempt" to interview her as they spoke the riots across the UK.

During the interview, co-host Kate Garraway had to step as things became heated, asking the MP: "Why is it important for you to use that specific word ‘Islamophobic’? It’s been called racist, it’s been called thuggery," before Ed interrupted to say: "They definitely said racist over the weekend."

When Ed said he was unsure whether the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer or Home Secretary Yvette Cooper - who is Ed's wife - had used the word "Islamophobia", she said they hadn't.

Trying to answer Kate's question, Ms Sultana commented that it was mosques, which were targeted over the weekend, with Ed interrupting to add: "But Starmer has condemned that."

Ms Sultana remained firm, saying: "I’m just finishing the question if that’s okay."

This led to Ed firing back, saying: "If you want to answer the questions, you can but you don’t have to."

Following the interview, Zarah took to social media, where she wrote: "The sneering contempt of ‘journalists’ will never stop me from calling out racism and Islamophobic hate."

The sneering contempt of ‘journalists’ will never stop me from calling out racism and Islamophobic hate. pic.twitter.com/cQoNKDzJ78

— Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) August 5, 2024

She added: "The media and political class is complicit in the far right, racist and Islamophobic violence we’re seeing across our country.

"This morning, I experienced the visceral denial of this reality.

For too long, minority communities have been scapegoated and blamed for our country’s problems," she continued.

"It is political choices by consecutive governments that have led us to this point."

Ms Sultana wasn't the only one outraged by Balls' conduct.

Several others took to social media to express their contempt for the broadcaster's behaviour.

One person wrote: "Imagine. Just imagine if Kate Garroway and Ed Balls were this hostile to a Jewish MP demanding to know "why does it matter to you to describe anti-Jewish racism as Antisemitism. As clear an example as any of the hierarchy of racism in this country."

Imagine. Just imagine if Kate Garroway and Ed Balls were this hostile to a Jewish MP demanding to know "why does it matter to you to describe anti-Jewish racism as Antisemitism"

As clear an example as any of the hierarchy of racism in this country.
pic.twitter.com/omoNh5A0ma

— Cllr Martin Abrams 🕊️🍉 (@Martin_Abrams) August 5, 2024

"@zarahsultana I felt this on a deep level," another added. "The laughing, the unhelpful interjections, demanding answers and then talking all over you. Ed Balls is not only a terrible broadcaster but he’s also just a loser sorry. Why is he co-hosting this show?"

Oh @zarahsultana I felt this on a deep level. The laughing, the unhelpful interjections, demanding answers and then talking all over you. Ed Balls is not only a terrible broadcaster but he’s also just a loser sorry. Why is he co-hosting this show? https://t.co/VOZ56kzfFk

— CEO of Yelling (@ChantayyJayy) August 5, 2024

One other posted: "The way the men laugh at the end as Ed Balls repeatedly combats Zarah Sultana over her completely correct answer to the question she's been asked is disgusting. This country's entrenched islamophobia - and dismissal of it - makes me so ashamed."