Broadcast regulator Ofcom has announced it will not be investigating complaints after former Labour cabinet minister Ed Balls interviewed his wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
The interview, which aired in August, sparked controversy and prompted more than 8,000 complaints from viewers.
The complaints centred around concerns of impartiality, with many questioning whether it was appropriate for Mr Balls, a regular presenter on the show, to interview his wife, given her prominent role in the Labour Party. The segment saw Mr Balls questioning Ms Cooper about the widespread riots that had been gripping the UK at the time, leading to intense public debate.
A Conservative Party source said:
“This situation raises serious questions about the impartiality of our broadcasters. Many viewers will understandably feel uncomfortable with a former Labour cabinet minister interviewing his own wife, who holds a key position within the Labour Party. We must ensure that our media maintains rigorous standards of neutrality, especially when it comes to matters of public trust and political scrutiny.”
In the interview, Ed Balls asked his wife: “Can I ask, because we’ve talked about this a few times in the last few days – like many of our viewers will have done at home since those terrible killings in Southport – there have been identifiable individuals on social media who have been inciting not just riots but violence.
“They’ve been using racist language and falsehoods. This is happening on the social media platforms. What should be done by the social media companies and the police and the government to stop this happening? It’s been happening for a week.”
Cooper responded: “Well you’re right, Ed. We have seen things appearing online that are clearly criminal. Social media has put rocket boosters under far-right extremist organisations and also some of the violence we have seen. Things that are criminal offline are also criminal online.”
However, after over 8000 complaints, Ofcom, ruled that there are no grounds for further investigation. In a statement, the regulator said: “We received complaints relating to impartiality in Ed Balls’ interview with Yvette Cooper on Good Morning Britain. After carefully assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, we have decided not to pursue an investigation.”
Ofcom further explained that, while the interview featured a personal dynamic between the presenter and the guest, it did not breach rules regarding impartiality and fairness. The regulator noted that the segment adhered to standard journalistic practices, with the line of questioning covering issues relevant to current affairs, in line with what other presenters might have asked.
While the complaints sparked a lively debate on social media and across political circles, ITV has stood by its decision to air the interview, with executives describing it as both “appropriate” and “handled professionally.”
Mr Balls, who served as Secretary of State for Education and held other key positions during his time in government, has been a regular face on Good Morning Britain since 2021. Despite his ties to the Labour Party, the programme has insisted that he maintains an independent role on the show, contributing to political discussions in a neutral capacity.
Ms Cooper, a senior figure within the Labour Party, has been a frequent guest on various political programmes. While the Good Morning Britain appearance attracted criticism due to her personal connection with Mr Balls, the segment focused on her professional capacity and current national issues.
The ruling by Ofcom brings the matter to a close, however, the episode has fuelled ongoing conversations about media impartiality and the responsibilities of broadcasters in handling potential conflicts of interest.
they should be investigating why starmer will only do interviews with his pet keunnsberg