‘Quit NOW!’ - Calls for Caroline Dinenage to go as it emerges Rumble row MP DIDN'T clear Russell Brand letter with own committee
Caroline Dinenage is Chair of the Culture, Media & Sport Committee
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Dame Caroline Dinenage is facing calls to quit as Chair of the Culture, Media & Sport Committee after asking video-streaming platform Rumble to demonetise Russell Brand.
Dinenage, 51, wrote to Rumble yesterday after Brand, 48, was accused of rape and sexual assault.
The Gosport MP penned a number of letters to multiple organisations, including GB News.
However, GB News understands not every member of the Culture, Media & Sport Committee was supportive of the letter to Rumble.
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A source said: “We know at least one committee member is not comfortable with the language used before Mr Brand has been found guilty of any crime.”
Another insider appeared to corroborate the claim, adding that only some of the letters were signed off.
Despite voicing concern about Dame Caroline's sentiments, committee members were not among those gunning for her resignation.
In her letter to Rumble chief executive Chris Pavlovski, Dinenage said: "While we recognise that Rumble is not the creator of the content published by Mr Brand, we are concerned that he may be able to profit from his content on the platform.
Dame Caroline penned letters to several organisations, including Rumble
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"We would be grateful if you could confirm whether Mr Brand is able to monetise his content, including his videos relating to the serious accusations against him.
“If so, we would like to know whether Rumble intends to join YouTube in suspending Mr Brand's ability to earn money on the platform.
"We would also like to know what Rumble is doing to ensure that creators are not able to use the platform to undermine the welfare of victims of inappropriate and potentially illegal behaviour."
The Gosport MP’s letter came under fire on social media, with many users suggesting the former Culture Minister was breaking key clauses from the Magna Carta.
Responding to the letter, controversial commentator and former UKIP MEP candidate Carl Benjamin said: “Caroline Dinenage has violated one of the few clauses of the Magna Carta which are still in effect, that an Englishman's property may not be arbitrarily seized or stripped from him without the lawful judgement of his peers. She must resign or be fired immediately.”
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Russell Brand denies the allegationsYouTube/Russell BrandGB News host and Reclaim Party leader Laurence Fox echoed such sentiments, adding: "Free speech and the presumption of innocence are cornerstones of a liberal democracy, both have been completely undermined."
Clause 39 of the Magna Carta references arresting, imprisoning and even exiling people without a law judgement.
It said: “No free man is to be arrested, or imprisoned, or disseised, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any other way ruined, nor will we go against him or send against him, except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.”
Rumble rejected Dinenage’s request to demonetise Brand.
The company replied: “While Rumble obviously deplores sexual assault, rape, and all serious crimes, and believes that both alleged victims and the accused are entitled to a full and serious investigation, it is vital to note that recent allegations against Russell Brand have nothing to do with content on Rumble's platform.”
An image of the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee
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Rumble added: "We have devoted ourselves to the vital cause of defending a free internet - meaning an internet where no one arbitrarily dictates which ideas can or cannot be heard, or which citizens may or may not be entitled to a platform.
"We regard it as deeply inappropriate and dangerous that the UK Parliament would attempt to control who is allowed to speak on our platform or to earn a living from doing so.
"Singling out an individual and demanding his ban is even more disturbing given the absence of any connection between the allegations and his content on Rumble. We don't agree with the behaviour of many Rumble creators, but we refuse to penalize them for actions that have nothing to do with our platform.
"Although it may be politically and socially easier for Rumble to join a cancel culture mob, doing so would be a violation of our company's values and mission. We emphatically reject the UK Parliament's demands."
GB News has approached Dame Caroline for comment.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JACK WALTERS