TV news hate speech row shows misogyny needs fighting, says Sky's Sarah-Jane

SKY News presenter Sarah-Jane Mee has expressed her "shock" at Laurence Fox's insulting tirade directed at a political reporter.

- David Stephenson

The demeaning sexist rant about Ava Evans was made during the Dan Wootton Tonight show on GB News last week.

Both actor-turned-political-activist Fox, 45, and Wootton, 40, have since been suspended by channel bosses.

Sarah-Jane, 45, who will front a new evening show on Sky News, The UK Tonight, said: "What happened was shocking and upsetting to watch. GB News took appropriate action and now it's up to Ofcom what happens next."

She added: "There is a huge difference between free speech and hate speech, which includes misogyny.

"This reminds everyone those attitudes towards women are sadly still out there and people shouldn't get complacent when it comes to tackling misogyny and fighting for equality."

The presenter revealed in 2016 she suffered sexism early in her career.

She started out as a runner for Sky Sports before moving to ITV Central in 2002 to become a sports reporter and then a presenter.