ITV presenter Martin Lewis has defended Fiona Bruce’s right to use the word “s***” on television, after the BBC prohibited it.
Fiona had been trying to discuss issues with a Labour MP whose constituency had allegedly been described as a “s***hole” by home secretary James Cleverly during the Prime Minister’s Questions – a claim which he has since denied.
The 51-year-old Martin Lewis Money Show star took to Twitter in indignation after discovering she’d been banned from using the word.
He blasted the BBC in view of his 2.5 million followers, quizzing: “Why on earth would BBC producers say Fiona Bruce cant say “s***” on #bbcqt way after the watershed when it’s a crucial word to explain one of today’s news stories? What decade is this?”
James Cleverly had allegedly used the word “s***hole” after Stockton North Labour MP Alex Cunningham had asked why 34 percent of children in his constituency were “living in poverty”.
READ NOW: Jonnie Irwin admits ‘never thought I’d be here’ as he celebrates milestone[HEALTH]
Martin was quickly met with opposition after he tried to defend Fiona’s right to free speech, with one firing back: “You tell us Martin, you’re one of the people that put their names to and signed the ‘online safety bill’.
“Yes that one! The one that takes our freedom of speech away. Can you explain just why you’re in favour of this bill???”
“Not sure what you mean ‘put your name to it’ – don’t even know how that’d be done,” Martin swiftly replied, before insisting that her claim wasn’t “correct”.
“I campaigned to get scam ads regulated. The mechanism was the OSB as that was the only plausible route (I wanted a separate scam ads statute but it wasn’t on),” the money-saving expert wrote.
Don’t miss…
Amanda Holden flashes underwear in eye-popping sheer dress with leg-baring split[PICTURES]
I’m A Celeb’s Nella Rose tells Nigel Farage ‘everyone hates you’ in heated row[DEBATE]
BBC Strictly’s James Jordan says Layton Williams’s dance had ‘no place’ on show[INSIGHT]
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
He added: “I was always clear to talk only about scam ands and to try and ensure that wasn’t seen as a validation of other elements (as they’re outside my area of expertise).
“So forgive me but your assertion isn’t correct. The elements of the bill you object to were nothing to do with me and nothing I have commented on, unless that is you are against regulating big tech pumping out scam ads, in which case I’d disagree.”
Earlier this year, Martin had received a fright after “terrifyingly realistic” AI-generated videos of himself appearing to endorse a product were released.
The TV star retaliated by campaigning against the practise, after also being impersonated on fake social media accounts and via illegal phone calls.
His website now bears a photo of him with the words “I don’t do ads” emblazoned on his forehead.
However, some viewers had previously been encouraged to invest in cryptocurrency scams after believing he’d put his name to them.
Meanwhile, @JontyRathnell replied sympathetically to Martin’s grievances over Fiona, stating: “There’s no logic as it’s all over the @BBCNews websites and it was quoted on most breakfast news channels.”
“I can sort of see where they’re coming from (ie. a blanket policy etc), but on the other hand, I don’t think scores of impressionable youngsters are going to accidentally tune into a political show on the quest for more Paw Patrol episodes,” @spudmagic chimed in.
Source: Read Full Article