It was a busy morning for Susanna Reid as not only did she have to step in and apologise for a swearing blunder, she also warned another guest to 'be careful' as they attempted to flash their passport live on Good Morning Britain. The TV presenter was back fronting the ITV news programme on Monday morning (January 16) alongside Ed Balls.
During the first edition of the show of the week, the presenting pair were discussing whether 16 is 'too young' for someone to legally change their gender. The conversation came after Sir Keir Starmer voiced "concerns" about the Scottish government's plans for the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which has been passed by MSPs, removes the need for people to get a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria before starting the change process.
It also drops the age limit to 16, and cuts the amount of time the process takes from two years to a matter of months. The Labour leader told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: "I have concerns about the provision in Scotland, in particular the age reduction to 16 and, in particular, the rejection of our amendment in relation to the Equalities Act."
Pressed on whether you are old enough at 16 to decide to change gender, he replied: "No, I don't think you are."
Appearing on GMB, the UK’s first transgender newsreader India Willoughby was on hand to debate the subject but sparked concern from Susanna as while making one of her points, she brandished her passport at the screen twice.
"Just be careful about holding your passport up," the host warned. "We don’t want anybody to get your passport details."
Trying to help clarify India's point, Ed added: "The point is that your passport says that your sex is female." India responded: "Yes you change your legal sex that is what happens when you go through the gender recognition act."
But GMB viewers were quickly flocking to social media as they became distracted by the mistake. @ConfusedWorker1 tweeted to say the moment India flashed her passport was 'by far the most stupid thing I'm going to see all week, and it's 7:30am on a Monday'.
@MrsMaudsley pleaded: "Stop waving your passport around India #GMB." @DannyDenay joked: "If you hold your passport up a third time I'm stealing your identity #GMB." @SomeMightSayNI complained: "Such stupidity trying to be clever but actually showing your passport's unique barcode 3 times on national tv. Screenshot then stolen identity. #GMB."
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