SUPPORT has poured in for journalist Ava Evans following “unacceptable” comments made about her by Laurence Fox on GB News.
It comes as the channel said it has launched an investigation over Fox’s remarks while host Dan Wootton has since apologised for an “unfortunate lapse in judgement” with regard to his reaction.
During Tuesday night’s discussion on GB News the strapline on the screen read: “Smirking Face of Disdain”, with the text under it saying: “Hard-left commentator slammed for shrugging off male suicide crisis.”
Fox said: “We’re past the watershed so I can say this: show me a single self-respecting man that would like to climb into bed with that woman, ever, ever, who wasn’t an Incel?”
He said she had been “spoon-fed oppression” and later added: “Who would want to shag that?”
Wootton sat smirking although later said that Evans was a “very beautiful woman” and that Evans had apologised for comments she had made during an appearance on BBC’s Politics Live.
Support floods in on social media
A number of people have taken to social media to show support for Evans, including economist Richard Murphy who said: “Suella Braverman said yesterday that discrimination against women is not a cause of concern to the Government of which she is a part.
“And then along comes this, targeted at Joe’s brilliant journalist Ava Evans. Braverman knows what she’s doing.”
Journalist Owen Jones also commented saying: “All my love and solidarity” and called on Ofcom to make sure Fox’s comments were investigated.
He also commented on the clip itself, saying: "These little creeps are disgusting, and this is absolutely intolerable. It is beyond belief that this is allowed to be broadcast."
Elsewhere, LBC’s Iain Dale described Fox as a “despicable, misogynist piece of s**t” and told Evans she’s “worth a hundred of him”.
Carol Vorderman said: “Please know that ALL decent people are on your side. We’re grateful for your voice.
“Do not let them bully you. I know only too well how difficult that can be. But we ARE winning. All of us together.”
Ava Evans, who goes by @AvaSantina on Twitter/X, commented herself: “Laurence Fox did a whole speech on GB News on why men apparently won’t s**g me.
“I feel physically sick.”
Culture Secretary speaks
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer (below) has since defended Tory MPs who host shows on GB News.
Asked whether Fox’s behaviour was unacceptable, she told Times Radio: “Well as Culture Secretary, you will know that I’m generally in favour of the free press.
“And (in) recent days we’ve seen the power of investigative journalism. You know, issues like the one you raise are matters for Ofcom and that particular broadcaster, like many others, is regulated by Ofcom.”
Ofcom has already confirmed it has received a “number of complaints” about Fox’s remarks and that it would look to assess these against its broadcasting rules and publish an outcome “as quickly as possible”.
