TELL OFCOM: Pensioner’s death is not a ‘direct consequence of net zero’

Watch: GB News presenter misrepresents the causes of high energy bills, and instead makes the distasteful and opportunistic claim that Barbara Bolton died because of net zero policies. 

On 25 May 2024, GB News host Darren Grimes hosted The Saturday Five where he made the inaccurate claim that Barbara Bolton died as a “direct result” of net zero programs.

As well as being distasteful and opportunistic, these comments are in breach of Ofcom rule 5.7 – by falsely presenting Bolton’s death as a direct result of net zero policies and misrepresenting the actual cause of inflated energy prices in January 2023 (i.e. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine). 

Submit your complaint to Ofcom using this form and by following the guidance below.

Programme details:

Programme title: The Saturday Five
Date of broadcast: 25 May 2024
Time of broadcast: 19.26
Channel / station: GB News

Your complaint:

Subject: GB News’s The Saturday Five breached Ofcom rule 5.7 in falsely stating the death of pensioner Barbara Bolton was a ‘direct result’ of net zero policies. 

Description:

Here’s a few bullet points to include:

• On 25 May 2024, GB News host Darren Grimes hosted The Saturday Five where he made the inaccurate claim that Barbara Bolton died as a “direct result” of net zero programs.
• Bolton was a pensioner who sadly died in January 2023 of hypothermia after not being able to afford to heat her home. About Bolton’s death, Grimes said: “…she was so scared of putting the heating on, of you know, firing up that comfy boiler because she was so scared of the energy bill that she would receive. That I think is as a direct consequence of the pursuit of net zero.” 
• It is well documented, including in statements by the UK Government, that rises in energy prices at that time were a direct result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. When European countries, including the UK, ceased purchasing Russian oil and gas the global supply versus demand deficit rapidly inflated energy prices. This was compounded by the UK’s over-reliance on gas boilers to heat homes. [1] 
• As well as being distasteful and opportunistic, Grime’s comments are in breach of Ofcom rule 5.7, which states that “Views and facts must not be misrepresented. Views must also be presented with due weight over appropriate timeframes.”
• Grimes falsely presented Bolton’s death as a direct result of net zero policies, and misrepresented the actual causes of inflated energy prices in January 2023. 

[1] For more information, see this Briefing by the House of Commons Library: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9714/