Welsh Parliament: Banning GB News protects staff, says boss

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The ban on GB News on Senedd TVs will continue for now, the Welsh Parliament was told

A ban on GB News in the Welsh Parliament helps to protect people working there, according to the presiding officer.

Elin Jones suspended the channel from the internal TV system last month after sexist comments made by Lawrence Fox.

She said she wanted to prevent workers from witnessing offensive comments.

Ms Jones told Senedd members on Wednesday that there will be an independent review of what TV channels are available in the Welsh Parliament.

She confirmed GB News's suspension would continue in the meantime.

Addressing a question about the ban, from the leader of the Conservative group Andrew RT Davies, she said: "Please understand and respect my attempt to protect women and men working in the Senedd from having to witness them [offensive and misogynistic comments] on our internal Senedd system."

The review will develop a "broadcasting protocol" to provide "clarity and consistency" on the channels available on the Senedd's internal TV system.

It is not yet known who will carry out the review.

Ms Jones said she had not banned the channel because she disagreed with its editorial remit or political content, but because of what she called "the totally offensive, misogynistic comments of Mr Fox, facilitated by a presenter."

Ms Jones did not give details of when the review would be completed.

She revealed that she had written to the chief executive of GB News to ask what lessons had been learned and new guidance brought in, but that she had not received a reply.

Mr Fox was fired by GB News following the incident.