Good Morning Britain  has received 81 OfCom complaints following presenter Ed Balls’interview with Reform UK‘s Richard Tice on April 30. The complaints alleged bias and bullying behaviour from interviewer Balls as he spoke to the politician. The clash which was the subject of the complaints occured as the nation waited for the results of the local elections which were announced the following day in on Thursday, May 1.

Tice vowed he was completely “different” from the Conservatives, and intended to deliver on areas of concern like immigration which his rivals had failed to resolve in the past – but he met fierce scrutiny from Balls. The debate began with Tice firing back at Balls’ suggestion that Reform was “very similar” to the Conservative Party, insisting that Boris Johnson and co had “their chance” but had failed “on every level”. “They blew it. We’re different in terms of our immigration policy, we’re different in terms of our Net Zero policy, where we’ve got newfound fans like Sir Tony Blair agreeing with Reform UK, listening and learning to what we’re saying about Net ‘Stupid’ Zero!” he said.

Balls shot back he believed Blair might dispute that, to which Tice admitted he was only teasing – but he stood firm as he listed policies where he felt Reform offered better and different alternatives to the Conservatives. This included different views on wanting to protect British Steel as a “strategic national asset”.

“We’ve been calling for British Steel to be properly invested in for six years! I said to the Tories, ‘Don’t sell it to the Chinese’, they negligently ignored our advice, sold it to the Chinese and we are where we are… thanks to Nigel [Farage] and I, we’ve saved British Steel and we need to now invest in it,” Tice insisted.

When Tice refused to be drawn on exactly how much it would cost to do so Balls slammed him: “You wouldn’t come on our programme with uncosted policies the day before an election? That would be totally irresponsible!”

Tice insisted he had a cost plan in the works, but Balls shot back: “Grown-up politicians who want to be in government have costed proposals and say where the money will come from.”

Balls attitude didn’t go unnoticed by viewers at the time who felt he was unfairly harsh on Tice and that he is far gentler with Labour guests since his wife, Yvette Cooper is a member of that party.

“He is basically campaigning for his wife and Labour, it’s a disgrace he is allowed to do this. Absolutely must breach standards!”

“It’s a shame you don’t question Yvette Cooper with this same vigour!” declared another.

A third exclaimed: “Absolute disgrace how this interview went. It’s a disgrace that Mr Balls doesn’t interview with such vigorous questioning of all the other parties”, before warning: “Ofcom complaint coming.”