Welsh Secretary David TC Davies has torn into the Senedd for its decision to ban GB News, saying he is “very disappointed”.
Last October, the Welsh parliament was accused of “censorship” after using the system to ban GB News from its televisions.
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, described the decision to ban the channel from the Senedd’s internal TVs as a “disgrace”, warning that it should “worry us all”.
A spokesperson for the Presiding Officer said the decision had been taken because the channel was “contrary to our parliament’s values.” They advised staff and members who want to watch the channel to “do so online”.
Speaking at Welsh Questions in Parliament today, Tory MP Michael Fabricant asked: “Is my right honorable friend aware that the Senedd has now decided to ban GB News. What’s his policy on that?”
Responding, Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies responded: “There may be a small saving in electricity by doing that but I think its very disappointing that the Welsh Labour government are preventing a perfectly legitimate viewpoint from being heard by members of the Senedd, who would do well to listen to people who don’t always agree with everything they have to say.”
At the time the channel was first blocked from the Senedd’s networks, a spokesperson for the Llywydd said in a statement: “GB News has been removed from the Senedd’s internal television system following a recent broadcast that was deliberately offensive, demeaning to public debate and contrary to our parliament’s values.
“There are now several ongoing Ofcom investigations into the channel.
“The Commission will discuss the issue at a future meeting, and staff and Members who wish to view GB News will still be able to do so online in the Senedd.”
Penny Mordaunt, Leader of the House of Commons, spoke out in support of GB News in October, saying: “In Labour-controlled Wales, news programming available on Freeview has been banned from the Senedd. Is it because Labour doesn’t want to listen to the facts?”
