Ofcom Declines to Investigate GB News After Presenter Denied Belfast Riots

On 20 July 2026, Ofcom announced it would not open an investigation into GB News following presenter Bev Turner’s on-air claim that there were “no riots” and “no houses … burnt” during the violent disorder in Belfast earlier that month. The decision came after the regulator received 446 public complaints about Turner’s statements on the channel’s *Late Show Live* programme.

The Guardian

The unrest erupted after a Sudanese man was charged with attempted murder in connection with a knife attack. A video of the attack was circulated by Tommy Robinson and other far-right figures, prompting calls for protests. Demonstrations quickly escalated, with cars and houses set alight, attacks on police, and families fleeing their homes.

The Guardian

Ofcom said it had “carefully considered complaints about comments made by the presenter Bev Turner regarding civil unrest in Belfast.” The regulator added that Turner’s remarks “reflected her personal view and received robust challenge by a guest – who referenced specific aspects of the disorder which countered the presenter’s own analysis – the programme did not raise potentially substantive issues warranting further investigation.” GB News declined to comment when approached.

The Guardian

Turner later explained on social media that she had spoken “in the early hours of the morning, relying on sparse footage and interpreting media descriptions,” and warned that the disorder could be used “by the government to introduce more powers of control.”

The Guardian

Media-monitoring campaigner Richard Wilson, director of Reliable Media, argued that “whether or not a house burned down is not a matter of opinion … It now looks like Ofcom has told GB News that as long as someone in the studio disagrees with you, you can say what you like about settled facts. That’s not regulation. It’s a green-light.” Independent media consultant Chris Banatvala, who drafted Ofcom’s code and investigation procedures, called Turner’s comments “clearly misleading” and said they risked “fuelling conspiracy theories.” Critics contend the decision signals a low enforcement bar for broadcasters amid Ofcom’s broader crackdown on misinformation.

The Guardian

• “There was no riot,” — Bev Turner, GB News presenter

The Guardian

• “There is not a house that has been burnt down. There are no riots.” — Bev Turner

The Guardian

• “Whether or not a house burned down is not a matter of opinion … It now looks like Ofcom has told GB News that as long as someone in the studio disagrees with you, you can say what you like about settled facts. That’s not regulation. It’s a green light.” — Richard Wilson, director of Reliable Media

The Guardian

• “A broadcaster has an editorial voice which must respect the facts,” — Chris Banatvala, independent media consultant

The Guardian