Good Morning Britain viewers have shared their fury over an interview with George Galloway.
The ITV morning show has been hit with Ofcom complaints after the tense exchange as Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley hosted the show. They chatted to MP George Galloway last month following his success at the Rochdale elections. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivered a speech on the steps of 10 Downing Street, where he called the controversial political figure's victory with a 5,697 majority "beyond alarming."
He said in early March: "It's beyond alarming that last night, the Rochdale by-election returned a candidate that dismisses the horror of what happened on October 7, who glorifies Hezbollah and is endorsed by Nick Griffin, the racist former leader of the BNP." During the Good Morning Britain chat, Susanna and Richard asked Galloway what he thought of Sunak's claims.
Galloway said: "I don't dismiss the horror of what happened on October 7th, it's completely baseless. I don't glorify Hezbollah and I wasn't endorsed by Nick Griffin." Richard probed him about his affirmed support for war criminal Saddam Hussein, who he branded a "monster" and a "tyrant."
"Everybody makes mistakes", Richard said, "I'm just wondering if you look back at your political career, if that was one of them?" Galloway immediately doubled down: "I've made lots of mistakes but not that one, that jibe doesn't quite have the sting it used to have." He then added: "Congratulations for getting it right."
When Susanna insisted on knowing what he had to respond to Rishi Sunak, Galloway quipped: "I think everyone dismisses Rishi Sunak, nothing he says is of any value." Challenging George once more, Susanna summarised: "You won't answer questions about a few weeks ago and you won't answer questions about 30 years ago...What is the question you'd like to ask yourself?" The interview ended on a tense note, with the presenter thanking her guest for his appearance in the studio. She said: "Well, there we go we have finally got to the end of the first question we asked you 10 minutes ago. George Galloway it is lovely to talk to you this morning, thanks very much indeed."
"Yeah, right", Galloway coldly responded. Viewers slammed Galloway on social media, particularly X, formerly known as Twitter, during the live TV row. "Get him off he is so rude don't know why they even let him back in MP please don't let him back on tv", one begged. Another added: "Who on earth voted for this idiot", while a third viewer chimed in: "What an infuriating man to talk to. Imagine being married to that."
One TV watcher then asked: "Why is this racist thug on TV?" A fifth fan praised Susanna for keeping her cool: "God, what a patronising, arrogant bully. Fair play to Susanna for handling this a******* like a pro." Someone else commented: "He does endorse hate", as another echoed: "George Galloway continuing to be an absolute EMBARRASSMENT on GMB." Looking back at the exchange later on in the program, ahead of Keir Starmer's appearance on the show, Richard branded the conversation a "pyrotechnics display."
However, some viewers took aim at Susanna and Richard as one said: "When George Galloway said the NHS was in crisis the camera caught Susanna Reid smirking. ABSOLUTELY APPALLING.." Another added: "This is shocking and outrageous... their hatred and utter contempt for Galloway is glaringly obvious and they are supposed to be unbiased presenters? They should be dismissed for such unprofessionalism and pure bile..." Someone else commented: "Have to say, the way Richard and Susanna conducted that interview was just embarrassing. Really un-professional."
The Mirror has contacted ITV for comment.
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