MP Zarah Sultana treatment 'highlights UK media bias', critics say after Islamophobic riots

Viewers and critics have called out UK daytime show Good Morning Britain (GMB) over an exchange between presenters and guests, with Labour MP Zarah Sultana who discussed the racially aggravated nature behind ongoing far-right riots. 

Sultana, 30, discussed the shocking violence which unfolded across the UK which were triggered by the killing of three children last week. 

The far-right violence, which first broke out in North West England’s Southport on Tuesday, was a focal topic on the GMB panel with hosts Kate Garraway and Ed Balls leading the discussion.  

Sultana emphasised the importance of highlighting racism and Islamophobia as a central factor behind the attacks, which had been repeatedly shut down by Balls and fellow guest The Daily Mail consultant editor Andrew Pierce. 

"This shouldn't be a surprise that this has happened. There [are] decades of work by the right-wing press and politicians who have fanned the flames of this hate," the politician said. 

Sultana cited coverage from GB News and The Daily Mail as examples, which Pierce challenged, asking for specific instances. 

"There are politicians and there are journalists who have played an active role and fanning the flames of hate and division and we are seeing that play out," she replied. 

Sultana also pointed out the language used by politicians, saying: "The rioters are using phrases like 'stop the boats' and telling people like me to 'go home.' If you compare the language of politicians with that used on the streets, there is a direct correlation."

Balls consequently attempted to counter some of Sultana's points by claiming that "if you fail to manage immigration properly, things go wrong", as he accused Sultana of attacking him while smiling. 

Sultana responded by stating that the UK needs a "fair" system that recognises immigrants' contributions. 

Balls additionally defended Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, to whom he is married, by adding that they condemned attacks on mosques and racism. 

"I don’t know if they’ve used the term Islamophobia," he added. "They haven't," Sultana confirmed. 

Both Balls and Pierce's conduct led to criticism from GMB viewers about the panel's handling of her arguments. 

Novara Media journalist Ash Sarkar wrote in a post on social media platform X that the actions towards Sultana were "nothing short of appalling."

"Ask tough questions – she's used to it! – but the sneering and constant interrupting when she was trying to talk about the realities of racism and Islamophobia as the only person of colour on set came across as completely callous and tone-deaf," she added. 

Journalist and presenter Sangita Myska also shared her dismay following the interview, writing that hosts Balls and Garraway displayed "classic reverse affinity bias".

"Unable to perceive Muslim female MP, Zarah Sultana, as both a politician AND someone affected by the trauma of the worst race riots in decades they use a completely inappropriate tone," she continued.  

Police have arrested hundreds of individuals in towns and cities nationwide, as anti-immigration demonstrators and rioters clash with police and counter-protesters, including Muslim groups. 

The unrest follows last Monday's tragedy in Southport, where three young girls were killed and five other children critically injured in a knife attack during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. 

On Sunday, Starmer warned rioters that they would "regret" participating in England's worst disorder in 13 years. His interior minister, Yvette Cooper, told the BBC on Monday that "there will be a reckoning". 

Police have attributed the violence to supporters and associated organisations of the English Defence League, an anti-Islam group founded 15 years ago, whose members have been linked to football hooliganism. 

The New Arab has reached out to ITV, Zarah Sultana and Ed Balls for comment.