GB News critics want to limit free speech to ‘liberal, Islington consensus’, Grade says

The Guardian UK Monday 15 June 2026, 05:00 UTC By Michael Savage Media editor 1 min read

Key Points

Former Ofcom chair says he welcomed arrival of rightwing news channel five years ago in name of ‘plurality’Critics of GB News are part of a “liberal, Islington consensus” bent on limiting freedom of expression, Michael Grade, the recently departed chair of Britain’s media watchdog, has said. The Conservative peer, whose time at Ofcom has been criticised over the handling of the rightwing news channel, said he welcomed the arrival of the broadcaster five years ago in the name of “plurality”.

Former Ofcom chair says he welcomed arrival of rightwing news channel five years ago in name of ‘plurality’

Critics of GB News are part of a “liberal, Islington consensus” bent on limiting freedom of expression, Michael Grade, the recently departed chair of Britain’s media watchdog, has said.

The Conservative peer, whose time at Ofcom has been criticised over the handling of the rightwing news channel, said he welcomed the arrival of the broadcaster five years ago in the name of “plurality”.

GB News (ORG) Islington (LOCATION) Grade (PERSON) Ofcom (ORG) ‘plurality’Critics of GB News (ORG) Michael Grade (PERSON) Britain (LOCATION) Conservative (ORG)

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GB News critics want to limit free speech to ‘liberal, Islington consensus’, Grade says

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