Nigel Farage to return to GB News next week after taking seat in parliament

PA
PA

Nigel Farage is set to return to GB News next week after being elected as an MP on his eighth attempt, the channel has confirmed.

The Reform UK leader, 60, formally took his seat in the House of Commons as the representative for the Essex seaside constituency of Clacton after he was sworn in on Thursday.

He cancelled his GB News show, which he hosted Monday to Thursday each week, in May to free up time to help with the General Election campaigning for Reform UK.

Mr Farage is planning to broadcast from the channel's studios in Westminster three times a week, according to the Financial Times.

Ofcom has repeatedly found that GB News has breached broadcasting rules on impartiality, which allow politicians to present current affairs programmes but not act as newsreaders.

The media watchdog has investigated programmes presented by former Tory MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, as well as former Conservative minister without portfolio Esther McVey and former backbencher Philip Davies. Married couple Ms McVey and Mr Davies are no longer part of the channel's line-up.

You may also like

Read more from Politics

No place for Nigel Farage at Tory table, says leadership hopeful
Mr Stride, who announced his bid to replace Rishi Sunak last month, has criticised Mr Farage’s response to the riots taking place across England.
about 22 hours ago
Holiday Inn owner urges calm after attacks on two hotels housing asylum seekers
InterContinental Hotels Group said the unrest, which included two of its hotels being stormed by rioters, was a ‘troubling and challenging situation’.
2 days ago
Kamala Harris officially secures Democratic presidential nomination
She is the first woman of colour to feature at the top of a major party’s ticket.
2 days ago
MPs demand recall of Parliament as rioting continues across Britain
Parliament was recalled during the 2011 riots, and some MPs are now demanding the same to deal with ongoing unrest.
3 days ago
No place for Nigel Farage at Tory table, says leadership hopeful
Mr Stride, who announced his bid to replace Rishi Sunak last month, has criticised Mr Farage’s response to the riots taking place across England.
about 22 hours ago
Holiday Inn owner urges calm after attacks on two hotels housing asylum seekers
InterContinental Hotels Group said the unrest, which included two of its hotels being stormed by rioters, was a ‘troubling and challenging situation’.
2 days ago
Kamala Harris officially secures Democratic presidential nomination
She is the first woman of colour to feature at the top of a major party’s ticket.
2 days ago
MPs demand recall of Parliament as rioting continues across Britain
Parliament was recalled during the 2011 riots, and some MPs are now demanding the same to deal with ongoing unrest.
3 days ago

In May, GB News said it was beginning a challenge against Ofcom after the broadcasting regulator warned the channel that it is considering enforcement methods that could include a fine or revoking its licence.

Their backlash came after the regulator ruled that GB News broke broadcasting due impartiality rules following the airing of the programme, People's Forum: The Prime Minister, where Rishi Sunak was questioned by the public.

Ofcom said it did not feature an "appropriately wide range of significant viewpoints" and called compliance by the channel "wholly insufficient".

After initially saying he would not run as a candidate, Mr Farage changed his mind and announced he would stand in Clacton in early June.

He also took over as leader of Reform UK, representing the party within the major multi-party broadcasting debates held on BBC and ITV.

He first contested a parliamentary election 30 years ago -- the 1994 by-election in Eastleigh, Hampshire, where his UK Independence Party (Ukip) came fourth.

He later contested seats throughout southern England as the Ukip candidate before his Clacton win for Reform UK, with 21,225 votes, ahead of the Tories' Giles Watling on 12,820.

More on this story

Latest News

King receiving daily updates as police braced for possible night of disorder
Following the Southport stabbings the King and Queen led tributes to the victims of the ‘truly appalling’ knife attack.
about 10 hours ago
Taylor Swift concerts cancelled in Vienna after two arrested over terror attack fears
Organisers of three Taylor Swift concerts in Austria later this week have called them off after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts.
about 8 hours ago
TikTok use could lead to higher risk of eating disorders, study suggests
Researchers found exposure to certain videos on the platform also impacted body image satisfaction.
about 9 hours ago
Tory leadership hopeful says people shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ should be arrested 'Immediately'
The Tory leadership hopeful has been accused of ‘textbook Islamophobia’ by Muslim politicians and groups.
about 14 hours ago
Ex-police officer avoids prison after admitting child sex offences
Darcy Woods-Broady, 21, pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with a girl aged under 16.
about 11 hours ago
Girl, 9, dies after bus crashes into two children
A nine-year-old girl has died after being hit by a bus in south London.
about 14 hours ago