Ofcom launches investigation into GB News after guest linked Pride to paedophilia

Media regulator acts after more than 12,000 complaints over Caroline Farrow's remarks on Alex Armstrong Tonight, setting a new record for complaints about a single GB News programme.

Ofcom has launched an investigation into GB News after a guest linked Pride to paedophilia. The media regulator announced on Monday that it had opened the investigation into the 5 July episode of Alex Armstrong Tonight during a discussion about whether Pride events are suitable for children, following Pride in London 2026.

Guest Caroline Farrow, a Catholic journalist and Manager in Campaigns Global for CitizenGO, said: "The problem is that Pride is not about gay rights. It has become about celebrating every single sexuality that isn't heterosexuality, including some very bizarre and unhealthy kinks and quirks, you know, like furries and bestiality and even minor attracted, they call themselves, minor attracted people. Paedophiles."

Farrow is the UK and Ireland campaign director at CitizenGO, an ultra-conservative advocacy group. She has appeared as a commentator on GB News on multiple occasions.

Host Alex Armstrong, who is gay, challenged the comments at the time. In a later broadcast he said the comments "conflated gay pride with the celebration of paedophilia" and described it as "an age-old gay trope that's been used over a number of years to demonise and slander gay people".

Under the broadcast code, television channels can only air hate speech when it is justified by the context, such as to preserve historical accuracy. Ofcom confirmed to The Guardian it was investigating the show over potential breaches of broadcasting standards.

GB News has previously been criticised by Ofcom for similar remarks, last year the regulator found the channel breached the broadcasting code after presenter Josh Howie said the "full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons" at a church would "include paedos", though sanctions were not imposed because GB News had already broadcast an apology.

In a statement sent to Gaydio on 14 July, GB News said Farrow's comments "were her own views, and do not reflect the views or editorial position of GB News", adding that "anyone watching the debate would have noted the comments were robustly and repeatedly challenged by two other contributors". The channel has been approached for further comment.

Last month Gaydio reported that Bimini said the remarks felt "targeted", with the star helping to drive the complaint campaign. Journalist Liam Rondi and Green Party leader Zack Polanski were among those who signed an open letter calling for Ofcom to hold the channel to account.