Welsh Parliament threatened with legal action over GB News ban amid possible breach of rules

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies argued the banning of GB News could be in breach of existing equalities legislation at the Senedd.

Davies said it was “vital” the decision be overturned.

WATCH NOW: Penny Mordaunt speaks on GB ban

“The Senedd GB News ban could be open to legal challenge,” Davies said.

“Those who still want to watch the channel have been told they can do so online but unlike TVs, streaming services don’t provide subtitles, those who are deaf and hard of hearing are therefore unable to do so.”

He added: “I’ve raised serious concerns about this with the Presiding Officer. It’s vital the Senedd GB News ban is overturned.”

Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt has also weighed into the row, arguing that the decision taken by the Welsh Parliament is not “remotely helpful”.

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​“We have just completed a huge survey of all MPs in Westminster about what services they need from Parliament to do their jobs well, and I know the House Authorities want to deliver to support Parliamentarians and be the best legislature in the world,” Mordaunt said.

“I would hope there would be the same approach elsewhere.

“I cannot therefore understand how banning a news and current affairs channel, that assembly members clearly want to access to, and is on Freeview, is remotely helpful.”

Davies's legal challenge follows on from his initial letter to the Senedd in which he argued that the Welsh Parliament has set a precedent in banning GB News, and as a result, the BBC would now have to be removed due to it being involved in numerous scandals.

.@AndrewRTDavies is correct. If we care about the future of Senedd, we need to make sure all views across Wales are heard and properly represented.

It sets a dangerous precedent to say that our national parliament will only listen to certain views and ignore others 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 https://t.co/mH331tS0De

— Tom Giffard MS (@TomGiffard) October 20, 2023

This is a view supported by the Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport Tom Gifford MS who said on Twitter: “Andrew RT Davies is correct. If we care about the future of the Senedd, we need to make sure all views across Wales are heard and properly represented.”

However, others in the Welsh Parliament supported the decision to ban GB News, arguing that people care more about other issues happening in the country.

Welsh Labour Member of the Senedd for Blaenau Gwent Alun Davies said: “The Presiding Officer took a decision. Not the Senedd.

“A Tory tantrum whilst Tamworth and Mid Beds shows how people have moved on from Tory culture wards.”

For now, staff and members of the Senedd will have to view the People’s Channel online, until the decision is reviewed at a future date.