UMVA has learned that Good Morning Britain has been inundated with over 500 Ofcom complaints following host Susanna Reid's scathing comments about Scotland's bank holiday for their first World Cup game.
The controversy erupted after Reid dubbed the bank holiday "outrageous" on the ITV morning news programme, sparking widespread outrage among Scottish viewers. Reid's comments came after Scotland clinched a 1-0 victory over Haiti in their first World Cup game in 28 years.
Reid's remarks were met with fierce criticism, with many viewers taking to Ofcom to express their discontent. The watchdog confirmed that 508 complaints had been received, all related to the Scottish World Cup's bank holiday discussion.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Reid attempted to backtrack on her comments, stating that her Scottish ancestors would be "turning in their graves" and that she could "only apologise". However, the damage had already been done, and the backlash was swift.
The bank holiday in question was granted to tens of thousands of public sector workers and certain schools, allowing them to celebrate Scotland's World Cup game without worrying about work or school the next day. The move was seen as a gesture of goodwill and a chance for Scots to come together and celebrate their team's success.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the decision to grant a bank holiday was made by the Scottish government, with First Minister John Swinney saying that the day after Scotland's first game should be designated as a national bank holiday. The proposal was subsequently approved by King Charles, but it was left to businesses to decide whether to give staff the day off.
The incident has raised questions about the sensitivity and cultural awareness of Good Morning Britain's hosts, with many viewers taking to social media to express their outrage and disappointment. As the fallout continues, one thing is clear: Susanna Reid's comments have struck a nerve with Scottish viewers.
