Lee Anderson Will Join GB News As Latest Tory MP Host
Lee Anderson has secured himself a slot on GB News. (Alamy)
2 min read
Deputy Conservative party chairman Lee Anderson will host a Friday night slot on GB News as the channel increases its roster of Tory MPs, PoliticsHome has learned.
Anderson’s talk show is expected to run at 7pm on Fridays, but will be pre-recorded on a Thursday to enable him to do his constituency work and visits as Deputy Party Chair.
It would mark yet another hire by the broadcaster of Conservative politicians – including Tory MPs Jacob Rees-Mogg, Philip Davies and Esther McVey.
Tory MP Dehenna Davison also had a show on the channel before leaving to support Liz Truss’s campaign for Tory leadership.
Elsewhere, the channel has shows hosted by former UKIP and Brexit party leader Nigel Farage, and former Labour MP Gloria De Piero.
Anderson, elected as MP for Ashfield in 2019, has repeatedly made headlines with provocative comments on a range of topics including poverty and immigration, and notably when he recently called for the return of the death penalty.
"There is this myth in this country that, if people are on Universal Credit in this country, they are in poverty. And I dispel that myth right now," Anderson told MPs in parliament last week.
He has previously claimed that there isn't a "massive use" of food banks in the UK, also arguing people need to be taught better cooking skills to save money – claiming it is possible for people to make meals for 30p.
On immigration, he has said charities supporting asylum seekers crossing the channel in small boats are "just as bad as people smugglers" – and has called for them to be "sent back".
PoliticsHome understands that Anderson is among MPs with whom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held one-to-one meetings ahead of the launch of the Illigal Migration Bill on Tuesday.
“GB News is the true voice of the Great British silent majority,” he said. “I’m joining the people’s channel to ensure their voice is heard.”
Editorial Director Michael Booker said: “Lee has been a breath of fresh air in Westminster since he was elected, doing something that many politicians are scared to do: talking honestly about what they believe.
“Our viewers and listeners appreciate his common-sense language, something that has been missing from politics for a long time. As the next election will be fought in the Red Wall, Lee’s insights into northern voters will be key.”
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