Andrew Neil says he never wanted 'British Fox News' as he discusses bombshell GB News exit

Andrew Neil says he never wanted 'British Fox News' as he discusses bombshell GB News exit

 

Appearing on Question Time tonight, Andrew Neil opened up about his exit as he said he 'had always made it clear it wouldn't be a British Fox News'

 

ByRose Hill Assistant Showbiz Editor

https://www.irishmirror.ie/tv/andrew-neil-says-never-wanted-25005589

 

ANDREW NEIL TAKES LEAVE FROM GB NEWS

 

Andrew Neil has hinted at why he quit GB News as he said that he "never set out" to create a British Fox News and that it was "not his kind of journalism".

 

Earlier this week, the 72-year-old broadcaster announced that he was leaving the channel just months after helping set it up and claimed that he was "cutting back" on a number commitments.

 

Appearing on Question Time tonight, Neil opened up about his exit, saying: "Well I had always made it clear it wouldn't be a British Fox News, and I think you could do something different without going anywhere near Fox.

 

"Fox deals in untruths, it deals with conspiracy theories, and it deals in fake news. And that's not my kind of journalism, and I would never have set out to do that."

 

Quizzing him, host Fiona Bruce asked: "Is that why you've left?"

 

"I'll let you draw your own conclusions as to why I'm here tonight and not with GB News."

 

He previously said in a statement: "I am sorry to go but I have concluded that it is time to reduce my commitments on a number of fronts.

 

"Over the summer I've had time to reflect on my extensive portfolio of interests and decided it was time to cut back."

 

Neil announced his exit earlier this week

 

Neil added: "I wish GB News well in continuing to fulfil its founding promise and mission to reach audiences currently undeserved by existing news broadcasters.

 

The board of GB News has said that it has accepted his resignation.

 

They said: "Andrew is without doubt one of the finest journalists and interviewers in this country. GB News thanks him for his 12 months of leadership, wisdom and advice and we wish him well."

 

The broadcaster's exit comes at a turbulent time for GB News, with three senior producers at GB News reportedly quitting within days of each other, according to The Times.

 

Neil's departure comes just months after he helped set up GB News

The publication believes that the station's "increasingly populist agenda is polarising the newsroom".

 

Jamie McConkey, Sarah Weaver and Joceline Sharman are believed to have quit, with former BBC News anchor Simon McCoy increasingly unhappy with the direction that the channel is heading in.