Good Morning Britain has defended its decision for presenter Ed Balls to interview with wife Yvette Cooper.

ITV’s Good Morning Britain was inundated with backlash on Monday after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was interviewed on the show by her husband, presenter Ed Balls.

During her appearance on the show, they discussed the ongoing riots across the country and the communities which have been affected by extremists.

Over the weekend, towns and cities including Tamworth, Rotherham, Bristol and Bolton have been destroyed by rioters smashing properties and attacking police.

As well as talking about the events, Yvette joined speak on the government’s response but was questioned by her husband, who was also Labour’s former cabinet minister.

Although the politician was also quizzed by Ed’s co-host Kate Garraway, viewers questioned whether their relationship had an impact on the discussion.

As Ed’s ability to remain unbias was questioned, ITV issued a response defending their decision.

A spokesperson said: “Following a weekend of rioting and national unrest, GMB featured a range of interviews and discussion around this national emergency on today’s programme which included James Cleverly, shadow home secretary, and Yvette Cooper, home secretary.

“We are satisfied that these interviews were balanced, fair and duly impartial.”

However, viewers remain unimpressed and hit back at the statement, claiming it would’ve been better to have another presenter conduct the interview.

Taking to X, an unsatisfied @RichFenton stated: “There is zero defence that could be offered.”

@RopesToInfinity fumed: “This is obviously, wildly unjustifiable and it’s absurd to try and tell us otherwise, one of the most obvious conflicts of interest I’ve ever seen.”

@Duncanflynn added: “I happen to like both Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper but they shouldn’t be interviewing each other about serious public policy issues on national television.”

While @skhowden defended Ed and remarked: “He’s got a job to do.”
Amidst the ongoing backlash, Good Morning Britain has stood by its decision to have presenter Ed Balls interview his wife, Yvette Cooper, on the show.

The controversial interview took place as they discussed the recent riots that have plagued various towns and cities across the country. The couple delved into the impact of the riots on communities and the government’s response to the crisis.

While some viewers raised concerns about the potential bias in the interview due to their personal relationship, ITV defended its choice by emphasizing the importance of providing a diverse range of perspectives on such a significant national issue. A spokesperson for the network reassured the audience that the interviews were conducted in a fair and impartial manner.

Despite the official statement from ITV, many viewers remained unconvinced and took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the decision. One user, @RichFenton, adamantly declared that there was no valid excuse for the interview arrangement.

Another user, @RopesToInfinity, criticized the situation as unjustifiable and highlighted the apparent conflict of interest.

Additionally, @Duncanflynn pointed out the importance of maintaining objectivity in discussions of public policy on a national platform.

On the other hand, some viewers came to Ed Balls’ defense and acknowledged that as a presenter, he has a professional duty to fulfill. @skhowden expressed support for Ed’s role in conducting the interview, recognizing the complexities involved in such situations.

As the debate continues to unfold, it is evident that the issue of impartiality and transparency in media remains a crucial topic of discussion. Viewers are keen on ensuring that journalistic integrity is upheld, especially in the face of challenging circumstances such as the recent riots. Stay tuned for more updates and insightful content from us as we navigate through the complexities of today’s media landscape.