Good Morning Britain presenter Richard Madeley has sparked backlash after asking a British-Palestinian MP if she was aware of Hamas' plans to conduct their terror attack in Israel before it happened.
MP Layla Moran – the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs – appeared as a guest on the early-morning news programme today to discuss the war in the Middle East.
It wasn't long into the conversation with lead host Susanna Reid that Layla – whose family are currently trapped in Gaza as Israel prepare a full invasion of the disputed land – was left taken aback by a remark made by Richard.
"With your family connections in Gaza, did you have any indication of what was going to happen ten days ago, two weeks ago?" he demanded to know, making reference to the attacks launched by Hamas groups on 7 October.
"Was there there any word on the street?" he persisted.
A visibly horrified Layla – who is MP for Oxford West and Abingdon – replied: "Not this, not this. I think everyone, everyone has been surprised first of all by the timing and sophistication and the way that it's happened."
The MP then added: "What I will say is that I've been warning, and others have in Parliament as well for a number of years now, that if we don't find a way… People say 'go back to the negotiating table'.
"The fact of the matter is there has not been a table, let alone to go back to a negotiating table for at least ten years now."
"This is a cycle of violence," she added. "Every time there is a cycle of violence, my worry now is that this is radicalising another generation on all sides. We have to stop this hatred. We have to bring people together and find a way through…
"Peace is harder than war."
Amongst those that have been left furious by ex-This Morning host Richard's comments are fellow minister Florence Eshalomi, who wrote on Twitter in the minutes that followed: "I just saw the clip from @GMB interviews this morning.
"Richard Madeley is actually disgraceful. I was in the chamber yesterday but sadly I didn't get an opportunity to speak in the statement," the Labour and Co-Op MP added. "Solidarity with @LaylaMoran for having to endure this racist line of questioning."
Other viewers were quick to call for the 65 year old TV star to be pulled off air.
"DID RICHARD MADELEY JUST ASK A PALESTINIAN MP IF SHE KNEW ABOUT THE ATTACKS BEFORE IT HAPPENED?? Absolutely VILE and OFFENSIVE! He should apologise or be taken off," one wrote on Twitter.
Another added: "Such an appalling, indefensible question from Richard Madeley. How on earth would Layla Moran know what Hamas was planning? The Israeli intelligence services claim they didn't even know! Good Morning Britain please sack Richard Madeley."
"He should be fired for this," a third wrote, whilst a fourth added: "Madeley should be sacked, today, for this."
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