Jacob Rees-Mogg joins GB News as he hails ‘bastion of free speech’

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former Cabinet minister, is joining GB News in a major coup for the outspoken broadcaster.

The Conservative backbencher will host his own show on the network, debating current affairs and interviewing guests.

He will also take his show on tour, broadcasting in front of live audiences in towns and cities across the country.

Mr Rees-Mogg, the MP for North East Somerset since 2010, is expected to tackle a variety of political issues, as well as other interests including classic cars and “good Somerset cider”.

After serving as Brexit Opportunities minister under Boris Johnson and briefly as Business Secretary in Liz Truss’s Cabinet, Mr Rees-Mogg resigned to the backbenches in October when Rishi Sunak entered Downing Street.

Mr Rees-Mogg, who has already made regular appearances on GB News, will become the third sitting MP to present their own show on the channel.

Tory MP Esther McVey currently presents a weekly show with her husband Philip, while Dehenna Davison, who is due to stand down from the Conservative Party at the next election, used to host The Political Correction on Sundays.

Ms McVey, a former housing minister, was found in breach of anti-lobbying rules after failing to secure approval from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) before taking up the role at GB News. It is understood that Mr Rees-Mogg has informed the committee.

GB News also boasts other presenters from the world of politics, including Nigel Farage, Gloria De Piero and Michael Portillo.

Mr Rees-Mogg said: “GB News is a bastion of free speech which clearly has its finger uniquely on the pulse of public opinion and does not talk down to its viewers and listeners.

“I have been impressed by the channel’s independent-mindedness and its determination to talk to people with many different perspectives, which is exactly what I will do on my programme.”

The appointment comes as a welcome boost to GB News, which has been forced to grapple with huge turnover of staff since its launch in June 2021.

The channel suffered a rocky start when it was plagued by technical issues, an advertiser boycott and the departure of its chairman Andrew Neil.

A number of other high-profile presenters have left, alongside key production figures. Earlier this month, head of television Helen Warner stepped down after less than four months in the role.

But GB News has been hiring top talent as well. Last year Camilla Tominey, the associate editor of The Telegraph, and the Daily Mail’s Andrew Pierce joined as presenters alongside former Cabinet minister Michael Portillo.

The broadcaster has also poached producers including Ben Briscoe, formerly editor of Piers Morgan’s show on rival TalkTV.

In August last year GB News secured £60m of fresh investment as part of a financial shake-up that saw Warner Bros Discovery sell its stake.

Co-founders Andrew Cole and Mark Schneider also sold their shares in the business and were bought out by existing backers Sir Paul Marshall and Dubai investment firm The Legatum Group.