Former Reform UK deputy leader Ben Habib and former LabourList editor Peter Edwards were involved in a heated row over DEI (diversity, equality and inclusivity) hiring at GB News.
They discussed ITV’s decision to advertise a position on its flagship political programme, Peston, to “people from a group that is underrepresented in the creative industries”.
Habib argued that skin color should not play a role in finding work.
“I wish we didn’t practice DEI,” he said.
Ben Habib and Peter Edwards clashed at GB News
GB NEWS
“I’ll tell you why it’s divisive. It literally gives ethnic minorities a protected status.
“Giving people protected status, promoting them, and requiring companies to hire them before white people is nothing but discrimination against the majority of people in this country.
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“DEI is divisive and damaging to the social fabric of this country. It harms our economy and our defense.
“Even the RAF was looking for people from different backgrounds to fly their jets and not white people.
“I don’t care what color your skin is. I want you to be able to do the job you’re here to do.”
Edwards countered: “I was an employer too. I have never seen employers forced to do this.”
ITV is looking for a candidate from a group “that is underrepresented”
GB NEWS
Habib angrily dismissed him almost immediately, ranting: “You know nothing, Peter,” before asking the former LabourList editor to finish his point.
“The law does not force companies to hire people of a particular race,” he said.
“Some companies may choose to do this. Some ads encourage people, but I’m a little worried about whether we can do this.”
Habib then accused Edwards of having “no clue” and said that “Section 172 of the Companies Act” requires companies to ensure they hire DEI employees.
“It has been introduced through regulations across the UK,” he said.
“Many regulators, including the FCA, require the companies they regulate to use DEI as a means of promoting social justice in their communities.”
