ITV GMB bias row explodes as Ed Balls interviews his WIFE Yvette Cooper in 'farcical' Southport riots debate
ITV GMB: Yvette Cooper and Ed Balls sparked fury with their interview on Monday
ITV
Good Morning Britain viewers have been left up in arms over the show's editorial standards after the Home Secretary joined the ITV show on Monday for an interview about the riots that have erupted up and down the UK.
Police have clashed with demonstrators in several towns and cities in scenes that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has described as "far-right thuggery".
Sparked by the horrific murders of three young girls in Southport, riots and clashes have ensued over the weekend at anti-illegal immigration rallies.
Labour has vowed to make anyone participating in the violence "regret" their actions and has rolled out stricter measures to help the police put a stop to the violence.
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On Monday's Good Morning Britain, Ed Balls and Kate Garraway welcomed Home Secretary Yvette Cooper onto the programme to discuss the scenes that have unfolded and what Labour plans to do about it.
But concerns among viewers quickly arose when it was realised Balls, who is married to Cooper, would be conducting the interview alongside co-host Garraway.
ITV GMB: Yvette Cooper and Ed Balls with Kate Garraway on Monday's show
ITV
Balls referred to their marriage prior to the discussion, telling his co-host: "I have not really seen her at all in the last week. When these events happen, and if you're the Prime Minister or Home Secretary, it becomes 24 hours a day seven days a week, so it's tough."
After the duo interviewed Labour MP Zarah Sultana who pleaded with the government to brand the protests as "Islamophobic", Garraway kicked off the interview with Cooper by asking if she agreed.
Cooper replied, unchallenged: "Well, what we've seen on the streets of some cities and towns over the weekend is frankly criminal violence and thuggery.
"That is what it is foremost and that is why it needs the full force of law behind it, it's why we've made clear to the police that they have our full backing in order to pursue a full range of prosecutions, of penalties against those responsible.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is asked why the govt hasn't used the term 'Islamophobic". In her answer Cooper (finally) uses the word.
— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) August 5, 2024
As for husband interviewing wife, how does #GMB think this is tenable? pic.twitter.com/jjtnjdECnp
"Arrests have already taken place we expect to see swift justice and penalties to follow. You're right that there has been a range of different things driving this including far-right extremism.
"We have certainly seen targeted attacks on mosques and that clearly reflects Islamophobia and people shouldn't be targeted for their faith or the colour of their skin.
"We've also seen some looting, a response from local criminals just getting involved at the periphery in looting on the streets as well. In every single case, this is disgraceful behaviour, we have to tackle the criminality and the thuggery and the extremism wherever we find it. It needs to face the full force of the law because none of these speak for Britain."
Garraway then brought up the fact the riots had been unfolding for a week and pushed further for Cooper to claim that the violence was motivated by racism and Islamophobia.
Cooper reiterated much of what she said in her first answer as well as highlighting that Labour has implemented further measures for police before Balls chipped in to raise the issue of "identifiable individuals inciting violence on social media" and asked what could be done by social media companies to stop it.
"Well, you're right, Ed. Things have been appearing online that are clearly criminal," Cooper replied before describing social media as "rocket boosters" beneath far-right extremists and saying police should be using the materials online to seek prosecutions.
She also said the government would be pursuing the social media companies to do more.
Balls then asked if those criticising "two-tier policing" have a point, to which Cooper answered - unchallenged - that the police have the government's full backing and that some people use other demonstrations such as the BLM marches as an "excuse" for criminal activities.
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Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper are married
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The amicable discussion was brought to a close soon after and while all was pleasant among Balls, his wife and his co-star, viewers at home were less than impressed.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter to share their thoughts, one fan blasted: "I said this last week, I'll say it again......@GMB is an absolute joke. They try to make out they are impartial broadcasters. However, they are just about to interview Yvette Cooper, whilst her husband is one of the presenters. They are not interested in balanced journalism #GMB."
A second hit out: "I’ve heard Balls is making a disgrace of himself again on @GMB …. Given a platform to speak whilst being the husband of the pathetic @YvetteCooperMP … well done again @ITV! @edballs #UKRiots #thefarleft #gmb @Ofcom #RecallParliament."
"What a biased farce the UK MSM is #GMB @GMB," a third fumed while a fourth echoed: "Ed Balls one of the main presenters on #GMB interviewing his wife the Home Secretary is farcical."
A fifth even ended up turning over as they typed: "Can’t listen to this awful interview #GMB #YvetteCooper and #EdBalls managing to stir things up even more. They don’t have a clue or maybe they do and don’t care. Oh and Ed Balls interviewing his wife. Violence isn’t the answer but neither is the Govt."
Even those fond of Balls struggled to support the interview: "I like Ed Balls a lot, but I don’t see how he can continue to be an impartial current affairs TV presenter when his wife is in one of the top jobs in Govt. Interviewing her this morning was just awkward! #gmb." (sic)
GB News has contacted ITV for comment on the backlash.