A fierce disagreement erupted during a GB News broadcast when fashion designer Jeff Banks and political commentator Fahima Mahomed clashed over the case of Ricky Jones, a suspended Labour councillor who was recently acquitted of encouraging violent disorder.
The 58-year-old councillor had been filmed at an anti-racism demonstration in Walthamstow last August making inflammatory remarks about far-right activists, including a statement about cutting throats.
Despite his acquittal following a brief jury deliberation at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Ms Banks insisted the councillor should have been imprisoned.
The discussion quickly became contentious when Ms Mahomed introduced Ms Jones’s neurodiversity into the debate, citing his autism and ADHD as factors affecting his behaviour.
A fiery row broke out on GB News
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GB NEWS
The disagreement intensified as both commentators defended their positions, ultimately requiring intervention from the programme’s host.
Mr Banks firmly rejected any justification for the councillor’s actions during the broadcast. “Councillor Jones can’t be held up as someone acting in the moment. It doesn’t wash with me. He should have done time for it, unquestionably,” the fashion designer stated.
His stance remained unwavering despite arguments about impulsive behaviour, dismissing suggestions that the incident could be explained as a momentary lapse.
Mr Banks expressed frustration with attempts to excuse the councillor’s conduct, declaring: “If you can apologise for him, I surrender.”
Jeff Banks said his condition should not mean anything in the eyes of the law
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GB NEWS
The designer’s position reflected broader criticism from Conservative and Reform politicians who had labelled the jury’s verdict as “two-tier justice” following the acquittal on Friday.
His comments came amid ongoing debate about whether different standards were being applied in cases involving inflammatory speech.
Ms Mahomed strongly defended the councillor, highlighting his neurological conditions as crucial context. “People with autism and ADHD have impulsive behaviour because of neurodiversity,” she argued during the heated exchange.
Drawing on her professional background, she challenged Banks’s perspective directly. “You’re speaking to someone who works in this industry and actually understands and deals with these kinds of things, so you cannot say that,” Ms Mahomed asserted.
Mahomed said Ricky Jones had a moment of madness
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GB NEWS
Her expertise in the field informed her position that neurodevelopmental conditions can significantly impact decision-making and impulse control.
The political commentator maintained that understanding neurodiversity was essential when evaluating the councillor’s actions at the Walthamstow rally.
Her arguments reflected a broader discussion about how courts and society should consider neurological differences when assessing culpability for inflammatory statements made in charged situations.
The exchange grew increasingly personal as both participants invoked their backgrounds to support their arguments. Mr Banks responded to Ms Mahomed’s expertise claims by referencing his own life experiences: “You’re speaking to someone that grew up in a mining town and experienced everything they had to do on the hard line to achieve what I have done in this country. That’s experience.”
The confrontation between the two commentators became so heated that presenter Nana was compelled to step in and halt the discussion.
“I’m the boss,” the host declared as she intervened to prevent further escalation between Mr Banks and Ms Mahomed.
The shutdown came as the debate threatened to spiral beyond productive discourse, with both guests becoming increasingly animated in defending their opposing viewpoints on neurodiversity and accountability.
