MAD AT MADELEY
Good Morning Britain hit by HUNDREDS of Ofcom complaints for show where Richard Madeley defended death threats to MPs
GOOD Morning Britain has received hundreds of Ofcom complaints after Richard Madeley appeared to defend death threats to MPs.
The presenter, 65, was slammed by viewers after he questioned if the abuse Sir Keir Starmer received was “a big deal”.
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His comments led to 800 objections to the communications regulator, who will now decide whether to investigate it further.
Leader of the Opposition Keir was sent death threats after Boris Johnson falsely claimed that he had failed to prosecute Jimmy Saville.
During a debate on the topic earlier this month, Richard asked: "Well I was going to say, actually, is that that big a deal?"
The following day Richard, who is presenting alongside Susanna Reid, apologised for his comments.
"It was a really busy show yesterday, we had so much to do. I want to say one thing very quickly at the top here," he said.
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"I tried to pose a question on one of our early discussions on the programme about how prolific online death threats are. I didn’t actually quite press it properly, I didn’t go into it enough."
He added: "I just want to reiterate the obvious statement that death threats clearly are never acceptable."
At the time of his remarks viewers took to Twitter to express their shock.
One person wrote: “Is it that big a deal?” To clarify, Richard Madeley asks if a death threat and a call for the execution of Keir Starmer is that big a deal? Seriously?! Get this man off my tv NOW! #GMB #peabrain.”
A second added: “Richard Madeley suggesting death threats to Keir Starmer are no big deal, when 2 mps have been murdered in recent years. When will @Ofcom finally act against #GMB? Their producers, an Madeley should be held personally liable.”
While a third exclaimed: “#GMB Id like to register my complaint against the appalling comment made by Richard Madeley re the Keir Starmer death threats on GMB. Surely this shocking comment is a sackable offence!”
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