GB News broadcaster Sophie Reaper was allegedly assaulted with a metal placard while broadcasting live from a Stand Up To Racism protest in Altrincham
GB News presenter Sophie Reaper has broken her silence after she was allegedly assaulted air at a migrant protest live on air. On Friday (August 8), Michelle Dewberry threw the show over to the Manchester-based reporter as she attended a Stand Up To Racism protest rally in the heart of Altrincham. The report began innocuously as Reaper explained how she had just spoken to protestors who could be seen on the other side of the road.
But things took a violent turn when she crossed over to speak to more protestors who were being blocked by police officers. Accompanied with a camera crew and a security guard, the broadcaster calmly approaches protestors but moments into the segment, she was struck in the head by a placard.
GB News star Sophie Reader was allegedly assaulted on air. (Image: GB News)
Despite her injury, the broadcaster powered through and swiftly wrapped up the segment before the show returned to Michelle in the London studios.
After the shocking event played out on air, her fellow colleagues and loyal viewers flooded to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share their concerns online.
Sharing the clip online, Patrick Christys claimed: “Our reporter is harassed and assaulted by Stand Up To Racism fanatics. They are NOT the good guys. And they’re asking for her press credentials whilst defending a hotel full of blokes who broke into Britain without any documents. Mental.”
Michelle also shared it, simply commenting: “Watching this back, I find it shocking.” Now, Reaper has spoken out after the horrific event and provided fans with an update online.
GMP have launched an investigation into the alleged assault. (Image: Instagram)
Sharing a snap from outside a police station, she claimed: “Whilst covering a protest/ counter=protest in Altrincham tonight, I was assaulted by a member of Stand Up To Racism. Whilst live on air, attempting to get both sides of the story, I was hit in the head with a metal pole.
“Aside from a painful lump on my head and being a bit shaken up, I’m totally fine. But I have given a statement to GMP, as I think it’s a disgrace anyone feels they can be violent towards me just for doing my job.”
The North West reporter went on to admit that she was “a bit shaken up” and had “a bit of a killer headache” when she complained to officers, before adding: “I don’t feel it is appropriate for violence to ever be used”.
Greater Manchester Police have now launched an investigation into a complaint of “assault” from the reporter. A spokesman from Greater Manchester Police said: “We are investigating reports of an assault at around 6.45pm on Church Street, Altrincham last night (August 8). Inquiries into the incident are currently ongoing.”
A spokesman from Greater Manchester Police said: “We are investigating reports of an assault at around 6.45pm on Church Street, Altrincham last night (August 8). Inquiries into the incident are currently ongoing.”
Around 100 people had met on each side of the dual carriageway in Greater Manchester once the protest kicked off at 6pm. UK and English flags were waved on the side facing the hotels with chants of ‘Save Our Kids’ and ‘Send Them Home’ regularly repeated.
Protests also broke out around the country, including in Bristol, Bournemouth, Liverpool, and Birmingham among others on Saturday (August 9), and Portsmouth, Southampton, and Aldershot in Hampshire, Leicester and Altrincham in Manchester on Friday evening (August 8).
A handful of people were arrested at demonstrations in Canary Wharf in London, and Epping in Essex on Friday night.
