UK Politics

Campaigners say the retailer’s decision to advertise on the channel, contradicts its claims to be “celebrating the LGBTQ+ community” and “making M&S a place where all LGBTQ+ people feel they belong.”

Over 10,000 supporters of the ‘Stop Funding Hate’ campaign have now contacted M&S or signed a petition to ask them to pull their ad spending with the right-wing broadcaster, following incidents which included a presenter saying the LGBT+ movement included “paedos”.

Last month GB News presenter and ‘comedian’ Josh Howie referred to a statement by the Episcopalian Church calling for the “full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons” before adding “I just want to say that that includes paedos,” while shouting the last word.

Other comments have included a discussion on trans issues on Friday 24th January, in which presenter Michelle Dewberry said: “Some of these fellas that go around dressed as women with their fake bits in their bras, they are deviants, quite frankly.”

GB News also aired claims that the trans-inclusive Progress Pride flag is associated with a “misogynistic ideology that has proven to be a direct threat to human rights” (supposedly for including trans people). A spokesperson for Stop Funding Hate told Byline Times: “Marks & Spencer has been advertising on GB News Radio… despite having made strong positive statements on both LGBTQ+ inclusion and climate. It’s had a big response from our supporters so far.”