End of free speech in Wales: GB News 'permanently banned' in Senedd in major 'censorship'

The decision to proceed with a permanent ban was immediately criticised by Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies.

He said: "This is nothing short of censorship from a supposed democratic institution.

"It’s plain wrong. “The Senedd suffered serious reputational damage from the Vaughan Gething scandal and this will do nothing to regain public trust.

"This wrongheaded decision needs to be reversed to give elected politicians the ability to watch their news channel of choice on Senedd televisions and that includes Britain’s news channel."

The Senedd announced its actions against GB News in October 2023 and the Conservative MS confirmed the Senedd had decided to make it's decision to ban GB News permanent today.

A spokesperson for the Senedd Commission said:“Following an independent review, the Senedd Commission has adopted a new policy for its internal television system. Its main purpose is to provide broadcast feeds of Senedd meetings.

“News channels and stations not available through the system remain accessible to Members and their staff online.”

A spokesperson on behalf of the presiding officer Elin Jones claimed back in October that GB News was "deliberately offensive, demeaning to public debate and contrary to our parliament's values".

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Jones' spokesperson also claimed the commission would "discuss the issue at a future meeting".

However, staff and members of the Senedd can now only watch this broadcaster online.

The decision raises further concerns about protection for free speech in the UK.

Rishi Sunak expressed his dismay with Welsh Labour over Cardiff Bay's GB News ban during the 2024 General Election campaign.

Speaking to GB News' political editor Christopher Hope at a pub in Nottingham, Sunak said: "Well, the first thing I'd say is the Labour-run Welsh Parliament have banned GB News. That tells you what they think about GB News and GB News viewers.

"I've come and done GB News' People's Forum to talk directly to your viewers because I respect them and I want to make sure that they know I'm addressing their concerns."

GB News responded to the initial ban by projecting its logo onto the side of the Welsh Senedd building, adding: "Nigel says watch GB News."

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The news comes just days after a GB News viewer was left "astounded" by his local gym's decision to ban this broadcaster.

John Bailey, 74, claimed his "democratic right" to watch the GB News channel had been denied at his local Nuffield Health gym.

Nuffield Health claimed it was "confident" the appropriate process was followed but revealed it was looking into whether the issue was "managed sensitively".