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17th Oct 2023

Richard Madeley apologises over ‘disgusting’ question he asked about Hamas on Good Morning Britain

Joseph Loftus

People are calling for him to be sacked

Richard Madeley has made an apology after he asked a question about Hamas regarding their recent attack on Israel which many found to be massively insensitive.

Madeley’s question to Laya Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, was labelled as disgusting by some while others demanded he should be sacked.

Moran was discussing the ongoing conflict on Good Morning Britain revealing that she has family stranded in a church in Gaza City.

The British-Palestinian politician said that her extended family had their house “bombed by the IDF” while her “immediately family is in the West Bank”.

Madeley then asked his question which has been lambasted as “disgusting”, “insensitive” with some even arguing he should be taken off air.

He said: “You have family connections in Gaza, did you have any indication of what was going to happen 10 days ago, two weeks ago?”

He then added: “Was there any word on the street?” Moran, who appeared taken back by Madeley’s comment said: “Not this, not this. Everyone, everyone has been surprised first of all by the timing and sophistication and they way that it’s happened.”

She continued: “I don’t believe it is right that my family is being held accountable for what Hamas is done. It is a choice to turn off the water and the electricity and the way that has happened – I don’t believe that is right.”

After the footage aired, people took to social media to call out Madeley’s question.

One person wrote: “Absolutely VILE and OFFENSIVE! He should apologise or be taken off.” Others said ‘he should be fired for this’ as another put: “I’m genuinely disgusted by this.”

Labour and Co-op MP for Vauxhall, Florence Eshalomi also wrote on X: “I just saw the clip from @GMB interviews this morning. Richard Madeley is actually disgraceful.

“I was in the chamber yesterday but sadly I didn’t get an opportunity to speak in the statement. Solidarity with @LaylaMoran for having to endure this racist line of questioning.”

A Good Morning Britain spokesperson later commented: “Richard is sorry that he has upset viewers with his question to Layla Moran.

“His intention was to understand the mood and atmosphere amongst the civilian population of Gaza immediately before the attacks … He did not mean to imply that she or her family might have had any prior knowledge of the attacks.”

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