GB News sparks backlash as Charles Amos defends 'incestuous relationships' on air
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GB News viewers were left shocked when writer Charles Amos defended incestuous relationships live on air, stating "'individuals should be free to marry and have children with whoever they want.". Presenters Andrew Pierce and Ellie Costello were back on the show on Thursday (December 19) afternoon, inviting the guest to discuss MP Richard Holden's recent call for a ban on first-cousin marriages in the UK.
Holden has argued that children of first cousins face a higher risk of birth defects, and such marriages should be outlawed to safeguard public health. He introduced his proposals using the 10-minute rule process, which allows a backbench MP to argue for a new bill in a speech lasting up to 10 minutes in the Commons.
Charles maintained: "I don't think it is wrong on every level. Individuals should be free to pursue their own good in their own way and that includes the freedom to marry and have children with whoever they want.", reports the Express. When Ellie asked: "Would you include siblings in that? ", he replied: "I would include siblings in that. If you look at the number of birth defects amongst individuals that are father and daughter or brother and sister it's about 57 per cent.".
"Although you may go 'that's absolutely terrible', I mourn those individuals wouldn't exist if it wasn't for the marriages that created them. Sure the birth defects are bad but it's better those birth defects exist than not existing at all.". During the interview, viewers bombarded X previously known as Twitter, with their reactions to the segment. One viewer commented: "Are you serious with this? " while another was incredulous, stating: "Extraordinary that someone is actually defending the right of fathers to marry their daughters on national television.".
