Good Morning Britain’s Ofcom complaints rise to over 400 from viewers furious at Richard Madeley’s ‘rude’ interview
GOOD Morning Britain has continued to be swamped with complaints over Richard Madeley’s “rude” interview with President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali.
The GMB host, 67, was branded “disrespectful” following his fiery clash with President Irfaan Ali over slavery reparations last month.
Television watchdog Ofcom initially received 334 complaints following the interview, which saw Richard hitting the desk at one point.
Ofcom has now confirmed the total number of complaints has risen to above 400 after another 70 objections were lodged.
Richard and President Ali came to blows during an interview on September 20.
The South American leader said people still benefited from “the greatest indignity to the human being” during a discussion before demanding the UK pay compensation after a UN report called on countries to consider it.
But Madeley was furious by President Ali’s suggestions and hit back, asking: “Why people should carry the burden?”
He later thumped his desk and continued to berate the President, adding: “You think the British Royal Family should make a big gesture, don’t you?
“Would you like them to give you a palace?”
Speaking from New York, where he was due to address the UN on the same topic that day, President Ali said he simply wanted “justice”.
He explained: “Well no, we don’t want the British to hand over a palace that we built.
“If you go to many of the palaces in Britain, you’ll see the lovely hard work from Guyana.
“You will see the sweat, tears and blood of the slaves who were exploited, and the revenue that was earnt from the exploitation. So we’re not asking for a palace; we’re asking for justice.”
But Richard argued: “How far back do we have to go on this?
“We are speaking exclusively on Western imperialistic slavery to summarise, but almost every civilisation on the planet owes its existence and prosperity almost always to crimes, in the past..”
President Ali replied: “I think you’re doing a great injustice to compare slavery with any other historical facts that you are mentioning.
“It is a great injustice to the indignity that slavery brought to people.”
Richard was soon criticised for his “patronising” treatment of the guest, with many viewers sharing their thoughts on X (formerly Twitter).
“Richard Madeley was so ignorant and disrespectful to the president of a Guyana,” one viewer posted.
Another said: “Who does Richard Madeley think he is? Slamming his hand down on the desk and talking to the president of Guyana in such a rude and disrespectful manner.”
A third said: “Richard Madeley, a breakfast news show host, talking down to and mocking the PRESIDENT of another country with a pompous fake laugh. The disrespect and entitlement is insane.”