29 September 2023 , 16:40
1214
0
Laurence Fox has broken his silence after his 'disciplinary hearing' at GB News. The TV presenter was suspended after making cruel comments about political journalist Ava Evans, talking on-air about her appearance and sex life.
On the Dan Wootton Tonight show last Tuesday, Fox mocked and publicly humiliated Evans and asked the offensive question: "Who'd want to shag that?" He also described Ms Evans as a "little woman" and declared: "We don't need these sort of feminist 4.0" who he said are "pathetic and embarrassing".
Taking to X, formally Twitter, tonight, Laurence revealed he had just attended a meeting with bosses at GB News, writing: "Just completed my @GBNEWS show trial. I mean disciplinary hearing. I think the rules are that I can’t speak freely about it. Which is totally on brand. For the home of free speech."
Laurence made the cruel comments live on-air last Tuesday (GB News)Only yesterday, Laurence issued a lengthy statement via video following furious backlash. He said: "I went on the Dan Wootton show. I told them exactly what I was going to say and I think that people found it amusing. They knew what I was going to say and I think I did even mention to the producer the use of the word 'shag' - which I don't think is the world's worst word."
"The point I should have made, was to say that men who are traditionally stoic men should probably avoid women who don't like them very much and women who dismiss male suicide. If I was going to be sensible and I could re-play it, I would say that any self-respecting man in 2023 would be well advised to avoid a woman who possesses that worldview because she will probably cause him nothing but harm.
Taylor Swift seen looking cosy with Matty Healy's mum Denise Welch months ago
"But what I did say was, 'I wouldn't shag that', which is not right. It's demeaning to Ava so I am sorry for demeaning her in that way. However angry I am with her still, I am sorry for doing that. And it demeans me because it's not representative of who I am and also I'm not saying any of this stuff - I know I'm going to get sacked tomorrow - I'm saying this stuff to clear my own conscience.
His comment on The Dan Wootton Tonight Show addressed Evan's speech on men's mental health and suicide when she appeared on BBC's Politics Live. In a previous statement on X, the actor wrote: "I could and should have dialled down the bar room banter, but I have lost male friends to suicide, and her dismissal of male mental health is very upsetting to anyone who has experienced such tragedy. We live. We learn."
Laurence also addressed his close relationship with presenter Dan Wootton, who he claims threw him under the bus following his on-air rant. "I would like to say to GB News - I would like to add some context as to why I posted Dan's texts. Dan has been in a lot of hot water after an attack on him.
Evans said Fox's remarks made her feel 'physically sick' (GB News)"I provided Dan with several weeks of daily moral support and encouragement and the full access to free legal services. I said to Dan if they had sacked him without any actual police investigation or involvement and on the back of some complaints which are unfounded and the presumption of innocence isn't maintained, then I told him I would walk out in solidarity with him.
"So when I read his response where he had thrown me under the bus - which has been a standard feature from GB News presenters - I decided that it was important to know that context of that. One shouldn't behave in that way. I don't do disloyalty and I don't do cowardice and I believe 100% in integrity which is why I'm stumbling through this apology."
Fox's comments went "way past the limits of acceptance", the boss of GB News has said. Angelos Frangopoulos said he was "appalled" by Fox’s remarks. "That comment should not have gone to air and that should have properly challenged quite frankly," Mr Frangopoulos said.
Fox and Wootton, who have since apologised, were suspended by GB News amid an internal investigation and a probe by regulator Ofcom, which received around 7,300 complaints over the episode. In his first interview since the comments, the channel’s chief executive Mr Frangopoulos told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: "That should not have happened. The way it was handled was also not the way it should have happened."
He issued a personal apology to Ms Evans, adding: "They (the comments) did not reflect what we believe is appropriate conversation as a media company, as a part of the national conversation, it really is an apology, it was just really inappropriate." He said GB News has a "process to follow" but he expects the internal investigation to be "resolved very quickly".
The former Sky News Australia chief executive added: "I was appalled by those comments, they are not in keeping with the values with us as a business and obviously we took action immediately."