ITV chiefs “at the very top” have intervened after Ed Balls’ controversial Good Morning Britain interview with an antisemitism campaigner, according to reports.
On Monday, Dov Forman appeared on the show live from Golders Green, London, where four Jewish ambulances had been set on fire in an arson attack just hours earlier.
Former Chancellor Balls was accused of “whataboutery” after he asked Forman about comments made by shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy regarding an iftar event in Trafalgar Square during Ramadan.
He said: “When you see last week the shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy singling out the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, for praying in Trafalgar Square in a Muslim group and saying that is wrong and shouldn’t happen, isn’t that the kind of intolerance and divisiveness which is causing problems in the Jewish community right now?”
Forman addressed the question, before attempting to return the conversation to the four firebombed vehicles in Golders Green.
“I think the shadow justice secretary was going to a point that many people in this country feel about Islamist extremism,” he said.
“I won’t get drawn into a debate about whether his words were right or wrong. We are here to talk about the antisemitic attack this morning in the Jewish community.
“Certainly, we need to be careful with our words, but there are people — including many in the Jewish community – who are worried about the spread of Islamist extremism, which is running rampant.”
The Mail reports channel bosses are locked in conversations over whether or not Balls should issue an apology.
The Sun has contacted ITV for comment.
His line of questioning divided viewers and elicited a strong response from Reform MP and former Conservative minister Robert Jenrick, who branded the former Labour MP “clueless”.
He said: “In one ridiculous question, Ed Balls reveals himself to be absolutely clueless.
“Engaging in whataboutery with a young antisemitism campaigner at the scene of an antisemitic attack is deeply unpleasant.”
Balls was also condemned by The Campaign for Media Standards on X.
The organisation wrote: “This isn’t balance or insight; it’s poor journalism that misses the point and dilutes the seriousness of antisemitism.”
Good Morning Britain has already apologised to viewers who were offended.
They said: “The intention behind Ed’s question was to ask whether a culture of intolerance was placing Jews at greater risk of harm in the UK. We regret any misunderstanding and apologise for any offence caused.”
The vehicles – belonging to volunteer emergency service Hatzola – were set ablaze in the early hours of Monday morning by masked arsonists.
Counter-terrorism detectives leading the investigation have arrested two British men – aged 47 and aged 45 – in connection with the incident.
They were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
Both have been taken to a London police station where they currently remain in police custody.
The Metropolitan Police is believed to be hunting for a third suspect and has vowed “to identify and seek to arrest all of those who may have been involved”.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation said: “We have been working around the clock since this appalling attack took place and this has led to these arrests being made this morning.
“This appears to be an important breakthrough in the investigation, but we’re also mindful that CCTV footage of the incident suggests there were at least three people involved.
“We fully recognise the local community will still be concerned and our investigation very much remains active and we will continue to work to identify and seek to arrest all of those who may have been involved.
“I’d like to thank the public and particularly the local Jewish community in the area for their continued support and reiterate our appeal to anyone who might have information that could assist with the investigation to get in touch with us.”
Terrified residents were awakened by a series of loud explosions as flames ripped through the ambulances parked outside a synagogue.
Six fire engines and 40 firefighters rushed to the scene at around 1.45am.
CCTV footage appears to show three masked suspects seeming to start the blaze before fleeing.
The blasts are said to have been caused by gas canisters inside the ambulances igniting as the fire took hold.
