The Conversation (0)
Becca Monaghan
Sep 13, 2021
GB chairman and veteran broadcaster, Andrew Neil, has taken to Twitter to announce his departure from GB News – just months after launch.
Following weeks of speculation, Neil confirmed to his 1.1 million followers on Monday: ‘It’s official: I have resigned as Chairman and Lead Presenter of GB News’.
The former Sunday Times editor and BBC interviewer’s departure comes at a turmoil time for GB News. According to The Times, three senior producers reportedly quit within days apart, which they believe is a result of an “increasingly populist agenda [which] is polarising the newsroom.”
It’s official: I have resigned as Chairman and Lead Presenter of GB News.— Andrew Neil (@Andrew Neil) 1631551134
In a statement, Neil said: “I am sorry to go but I have concluded it’s time to reduce my commitments on a number of fronts.
“Over the summer I’ve had time to reflect on my extensive portfolio of interests and decided it was time to cut back.”
“I wish GB News well in continuing to fulfil its founding promise and mission to reach audiences currently underserved by existing news broadcasters”, he added.
A statement from GB News said: “Andrew is without doubt one of the finest journalists and interviewers in this country.”
“GB News thanks him for his 12 months of leadership, wisdom and advice and we wish him well.”
The news prompted many responses from Twitter.
@afneil Arh the gradual (rapid) decline of GB News is a marvellous thing to witness— Topple and Burn Jewellery (@Topple and Burn Jewellery) 1631551284
@afneil You did a solid couple of weeks work there, fella. Sorry your culture war nonsense wasn’t a success.— TwoLegsBad (@TwoLegsBad) 1631551536
@afneil I've spent longer on the toilet, but I suppose we both ended up with the same result.— Stephen Kerr (@Stephen Kerr) 1631551429
@afneil You really did a fantastic job of tackling the metropolitan elite babes, well done xoxoxox— Josh Wheeler *NEW ACCOUNT* 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@Josh Wheeler *NEW ACCOUNT* 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️) 1631551295
@afneil You seem to be the only person shocked by the Channel’s content and direction……….even though we all knew be… https://t.co/J8WByGJ2JQ— Dave Winter (@Dave Winter) 1631551680
@afneil I’m sure this will come as a great shock to your viewer.— Coly O'Hare (@Coly O'Hare) 1631551303
@Fox_Claire @afneil @GBNEWS Yes, in the same way that chlamydia is important to shagging.— Actually Adam (@Actually Adam) 1631551948
@JessfromW @afneil Oh. YOU'RE the viewer. Assumed it was a bot— Bradley Wall 🏳️🌈 🇪🇺🇬🇧🌍 (@Bradley Wall 🏳️🌈 🇪🇺🇬🇧🌍) 1631551973
Talks of the right-leaning ‘anti woke’ channel kicked off last year after Andrew Neil announced his departure from the BBC after 25 years. The channel features presenters such as Nigel Farage and Alastair Stewart and has been plagued with technical problems and questionable moments throughout.
From falling for the ‘Mike Hunt’ prank, the controversial moment Lady Colin Campbell claimed Jeffery Epstein wasn’t a paedophile, to Dan Wootton’s questions branded as “stupid” by Lord Sugar, GB News had an interesting past few months, to say the least.
It’s a technological car crash. Either there’s a real Mike Hunt out there, or someone was having a laugh… editorial… https://t.co/WRY8v3RGRR— Ian Pinnell (@Ian Pinnell) 1623780934
Neil will continue to appear as a commentator twice a week on Farage’s show. A GB News worker said Neil joined ‘12 months ago and signed a multi-year contract, so we hoped he’d stay longer.’
GB News has since announced a weekly political programme called The Briefing PM hosted by journalist Isabel Oakeshott. “I’m really excited to announce I’m joining GB News – my new show coming soon...”, she said.
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