GMB faces 508 Ofcom complaints after Susanna Reid apology

Good Morning Britain has been hit with hundreds of Ofcom complaints following remarks made by Susanna Reid that sparked fury amongst viewers. The programme received 508 complaints regarding the episode broadcast on 9 June, the regulator confirmed. In a statement provided to Liverpool Echo, Ofcom said the “complaints related to comments made during a discussion about the Scottish World Cup Bank Holiday”. That morning’s edition of Good Morning Britain saw Ed Balls and co-presenter Susanna discuss reports that Scotland would be granted a Bank Holiday

for qualifying for the World Cup. Ed had said on the ITV breakfast programme: “This morning, in our five o’clock meeting, Susanna said, ‘I can’t believe this, the game’s on the Sunday morning, and they get bank holiday [more than] 24 hours later,'” reports the Mirror . “I said, ‘What?’ I couldn’t believe it. It never occurred to me that that was going on.” Addressing viewers’ reactions, Susanna said, “It’s really outrageous. I mean, how long does it take Scots to get over the fact

that they’ve played their first match?” Audiences were left incensed after hearing the comments, with Susanna subsequently issuing an apology. One viewer fumed: “So many anti-Scottish comments from your presenters and guests this morning. Do you realise your show is shown on Scottish television? Unfortunately.” Another criticised: “Extremely anti-Scottish. Not everyone is getting it, and not everyone wants it. I don’t even like football, but thought your comments were uncalled for! ! !” Yet another furious viewer remarked, “Not everyone is getting it. Jumping on

the anti-Scotland bandwagon, I see.” ITV also issued a statement following the controversy, which read, as per The National Scot: “The editorial team feel discussion of the fact that some football fans would be drinking alcohol while watching the match is something that would be referenced in the discussion of any home nation’s participation in an international tournament. “No sleight was intended toward Scottish fans in particular – it was more a reflection of football watching culture in the UK.” It continued: “We’re aware this

coverage has been distorted on social media by brief edited clips that do not represent the full four-minute discussion. Having reviewed the full segments, our feeling is that the issue of drinking and football would have been raised in a discussion of any home nation having an extra day off work following a game. We do note, however, that such discussions can play into national stereotypes. This was not the intention, and in no way was the focus of the discussion.” The publication noted that

ITV also stated that the Good Morning Britain editorial team had acknowledged “concerns about Ofcom’s rules relating to generally accepted standards, due accuracy and due impartiality, but taking into account the light-hearted nature of the news review discussion and the discussion that followed later in the programme, consider that the programme was in line with Ofcom’s standards”. Susanna subsequently issued an apology, acknowledging she had left viewers “irate” and faced accusations of “jealousy”. Following the appearance of two Scottish broadcasters on the programme earlier in

the week, who challenged Susanna over her remarks, the former BBC Breakfast presenter said: “My Scottish ancestors would be turning in their graves, I can only apologise. “Let me say, it’s outrageous that not everyone in Scotland has got today off as a bank holiday.” Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.

Good Morning Britain, Ofcom complaints, Susanna Reid, Ed Balls, Scottish Bank Holiday, Scottish World Cup, apology, ITV