WORKINGTON MP Mark Jenkinson had harsh words for Laurence Fox following the actor's 'unacceptable' televised rant about a female journalist.

Fox, who has appeared in a wide range of British dramas but has latterly emerged as a right-wing political voice, made the comments about Joe Media journalist Ava Evans on the GB News channel - comments which left Ms Evans feeling 'physically sick'.

Speaking on the Dan Wootton show, Fox said: "That little woman has been spoon-fed oppression, day after day, starting with the lie of the gender wage gap."

In a vulgar tirade, he went on to call her 'embarrassing' and a 'feminist 4.0'. He also declared that he wouldn't want to sleep with her.

 

 

Taking to the platform X, formerly Twitter, Mr Jenkinson posted: "What a vile p***k."

Ms Evans has received support from across the political and media establishment. The Labour Party's Emily Thornberry posted: "I'm so sorry this has happened to you. This smirking, sniggering misogyny needs to be called out.

"British television should never subject women to this sort of abuse."

Tory peer Daniel Finkelstein wrote: "Oh my God this is truly appalling. Even for the two individuals involved this was a new low."

Also taking to X, the host of the show Dan Wootton said: "I want to reiterate my regret over last night’s exchange with Laurence on GB News.

"Having looked at the footage, I can see how inappropriate my reaction to his totally unacceptable remarks appears to be and want to be clear that I was in no way amused by the comments.

"I reacted as I did out of shock and surprise in an off guard moment while working out how to respond.

"I apologise unreservedly for what was a very unfortunate lapse in judgement on my part under the intense pressure of a bizarre exchange. I know I should have done better."

GN News has launched an investigation. It said in a statement: "Comments made tonight on GB News by Laurence Fox were totally unacceptable. What he said does not reflect our values and we apologise unreservedly for the comments and the offence they have caused.

"We have launched an investigation and will be apologising to the individual involved."

The regulator Ofcom wrote on X: "We can confirm we've received a number of complaints about comments made by Laurence Fox on GB News last night.

"We are assessing these complaints against our broadcast rules and will publish the outcome as quickly as possible."

In a lengthy statement on X this morning, Laurence Fox said that he 'stands by every word'.

"It’s called free speech," he wrote. "So you keep trying to cancel away in your state of permanent offence, I’ve been cancelled already and may well be again, but I don’t care one bit, and I will keep defending my right to have an opinion on issues which concern me."