Andrew Neil, the driving force behind Britain’s first new national news channel in more than 20 years, has resigned as its chairman and prime-time presenter. AFP
Andrew Neil, the driving force behind Britain’s first new national news channel in more than 20 years, has resigned as its chairman and prime-time presenter. AFP
Andrew Neil, the driving force behind Britain’s first new national news channel in more than 20 years, has resigned as its chairman and prime-time presenter. AFP
Andrew Neil, the driving force behind Britain’s first new national news channel in more than 20 years, has resigned as its chairman and prime-time presenter. AFP

Andrew Neil resigns as chairman and host at GB News


Soraya Ebrahimi
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Andrew Neil has confirmed he has stepped down from his roles as chairman of GB News and host of one of its prime-time shows.

The journalist and broadcaster, 72, has been away from the fledgling broadcaster since announcing a break two weeks into its launch.

GB News said Neil would continue to contribute as a regular guest commentator.

“It’s official: I have resigned as chairman and lead presenter of GB News,” he wrote on Twitter.

“I am sorry to go but I have concluded it’s time to reduce my commitments on a number of fronts," Neil said later.

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

“I wish GB News well in continuing to fulfil its founding promise and mission to reach audiences currently underserved by existing news broadcasters.”

GB News 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.”

GB News began broadcasting in June, promising an alternative to news providers such as the BBC and Sky News and to take on so-called cancel culture.

Neil, formerly one of the BBC’s veteran political interviewers, was hired to lead the channel’s evening line-up with a prime-time news and interview programme.

He announced a break two weeks into the launch but later said on Twitter that the channel was “finding its feet” and had a “great future” ahead of it.

Former Sky journalist Colin Brazier stepped in to fill his slot.

Presenter Guto Harri quit the channel in July after a row over him taking the knee during a debate on the racism directed towards England football players.

The channel’s director of news and programmes, John McAndrew, was also said to have stepped down.

GB News was launched after securing high-profile signings from across the media landscape, including ITV News journalist Alastair Stewart, BBC journalist Simon McCoy and former Labour MP Gloria De Piero.

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Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick   

Director: Minkie Spiro

Rating:2/5

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At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

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The Bio

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
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Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

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Updated: September 13, 2021, 7:05 PM`