Good Morning Britain viewers were left shocked after a discussion over the Prime Minister's past comments describing Muslim women as 'letterboxes' became heated.
Presenters Ben Shepherd and Kate Garraway cut to an ad break early on this morning's programme after a debate over cancel culture turned sour over a disagreement.
Comedian Leo Kearse and Political and Women's Rights Activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu clashed this morning when the conversation steered towards Boris Johnson's comments comparing veiled Muslim women to “letterboxes” in 2018.
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Kearse lept to the defence of the Prime Minister, claiming the comment from Mr Johnson was "just a gag" and went on to agree that Muslim women "do look a bit like letterboxes".
Dr Mos-Shogbamimu said: "You sit there with the audacity to say that it was okay [for him] to say that. You're part of the problem."
In response, Kearse said: "I don't believe Britain is this cesspool of hatred and racism that you're painting it as."
ITV's Alex Beresford was quick to weigh into the debate: "Did @LeoKearse actually try and justify likening Muslim women in Burka’s to letterboxes on @GMB? Tell me I heard wrong?"
Kearse wasted no time firing back to the weather presenter: "Damn, I've upset the weather girl. Boris's letterbox comment is EXACTLY what I'm talking about - clearly a joke and not hateful.
"The only hate I see is from the woke mobs hounding people from their livelihoods."
Twitter has been flooded with comments after viewers shared their outrage after the segment was pulled from air on ITV this morning (January 28).
One Twitter user @anothernlight7 said: "Absolutely @GMB right now. Well done @benshephard and @kategarraway when they are shouting and bickering over the top of each other, take them off air. Unbelievable."
@_Sarah_Hughes_ commented: "Who is that ridiculous comedian (not that I can imagine him being funny ever) on @GMB just now, never heard of him and I’m glad, his views are horrific, racist and misogynistic!
"Wow! @SholaMos1 taking him down thankfully, he tried to shout her down but he really had no idea!"
Another Twitter user @skm_kamran shared their disbelief at the exchange on the programme: "@GMB can't believe what i heard early morning, so according to someone called Leo calling "us" letterbox is ok for him?
"We are real, making fun of muslim women like that was never ok and never will be ok ....."
@relish_hendy said: "I’m so angry that was a total car crash. All he did was prove why certain people (including himself) shouldn’t be given public platforms for goodness sake. What a horrible man."
Speaking on whether public figures should be "cancelled" for offensive comments, Dr Mos-Shogbamimu said: "Forgiveness is good, but forgiveness does not absolve you of consequences".
While many people were quick to condemn Kearse's comments, some people were not taken with Dr Mos-Shogamimu's argument, either, with some viewers switching off their TV after the exchange.
"@GMB What an obnoxious woman, Ms Shola is, she is rude, obviously does not allow other people’s to air their opinion and loves the sound of her own voice. How on earth is this person allowed so much air time. Had to switch off," said @JanieBabes66.
Another person tweeting under the handle @CarlyBird06 said: "Switched off! This woman is narrow-minded, aggressive & confrontational. No one listens when being shouted at, very disrespectful to others! Why keep inviting her onto the programme when the behaviour always ends up with her shouting!"
Islamophobic incidents rose 375% after Boris Johnson made these comments about Muslim women wearing burkas, according to the Independent.
Viewers also ridiculed GMB Kate's attempt at pronouncing Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu's name on the same segment in an awkward moment for the presenter.
"Agreed with most of Dr Shola but did she need to belittle and embarrass Kate like that with a genuine mistake of mispronunciation?" said @MHilton93.
While others said the pronunciation was not an issue. @KarrieboKarrie said: "All my life people have pronounced my name wrong. It’s 4 letters but I would never belittle anyone for it. I just ignore their pronunciation. It’s a minor issue."
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