GOOD Morning Britain viewers have hit back after airing an interview in which host Ed Balls interviewed his own wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
On Monday’s episode of the ITV news show, Cooper appeared on the show to discuss the riots and protests from across the country this weekend.
However, some believe Balls and his co-star Kate Garraway showed a bias towards her as a result of their personal connection.
Cooper and Balls have been married since January 1998, and together they have three children, Ellie, Maddy and Joel.
The couple, who have three children together, became the first ever married couple to serve alongside each other in the British Cabinet back in 2008.
Following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s emergency meeting and statements in order to respond to the escalating violence, in which some instances are racist in nature, Cooper appeared on the show to discuss what could happen next.
While Kate did acknowledge Ed’s relationship with Cooper, the host assured he “hadn’t seen his wife for the past week” as their schedules kept them apart.
Cooper told the pair via a livelink: “What we have seen on the streets in some cities and towns over the weekend is criminal violence and thuggery.
“That is what it is and that’s why it needs the full force of the law behind it.
“We’ve made it clear to the police that they have our full backing in order to go ahead with the full range of prosecution against those responsible and we expect to see swift justice.”
Ed then proceeded to ask her how social media sites should react to the spreading of misinformation, criminal acts and racist rhetoric on their platforms.
Yvette declared that social media has put “rocket boosters” under far right extremists organisations who incited some of the violence.
Viewers thought the hosts’ showed a line of questioning that appeared like preferential treatment, rather than the neutral stance news reporters are meant to take.
They also criticised Ed Balls for asking his wife “low ball” questions, implying he was giving her an easier time than her counterparts that have previously appeared on the show.
One viewer wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Watching The Home Secretary’s Husband , Ed Balls, shout down every guest daring to call these riots what they are, just before his Wife comes on for the most soft Ball Interview, is absolute insanity. How the f**k can this even be considered impartial reporting”
“Does @GMB realise just how utterly ridiculous it looks by continuing to invite @edballs on as a presenter whilst he defends the actions of the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, his wife!?” noted another.
“Now that Yvette Cooper is now a government minister (Home Secretary), @GMB should 100% stand Ed Balls (her husband) down,” said a third. “That’s a massive conflict of interest.”
A fourth noted: “I do feel like maybe the Home Secretary’s husband shouldn’t be involved in interviewing her on breakfast television, like I do think that’s fair to say.”
While a fifth said: “It feels surreal that this is even allowed by Ofcom.”
Good Morning Britain's Biggest Ofcom complaints
Good Morning Britain has had its fair share of Ofcom complaints over the years, even holding the title for most complained about show in 2021. Here are some of the most notable:
- September 2017 – Michael Davidson appeared on the programme to argue his case for gay conversion therapy – 1,099 complaints
- January 2020 – Piers Morgan under fire for ‘mocking Chinese accent’ in conversation on Peter Phillips advertising Chinese milk – 1,756 complaints
- April 2020– Piers Morgan criticised for ‘combative’ interview techniques used while talking to MP Helen Whatley over Covid care home deaths and treatment – 5,501 complaints
- November 2020– Rishi Sunak and Ben Shephard clash over disputed information regarding Covid furlough scheme – 1,700 complaints
- March 2021 – Piers Morgan’s comments about Meghan Markle and mental health after her Oprah interview – 57,121 complaints
- October 2023 – Richard Madeley asked MP Layla Moran – who has family in Gaza – if she had any prior knowledge of Hamas attack – 2,391 complaints.
