Reform UK Candidate Matt Goodwin Confronts GB News Harassment Allegation
Matt Goodwin, the Reform UK candidate for the Gorton and Denton byelection, has been accused by a junior female staffer at GB News of making inappropriate comments that she perceived as sexually harassing, according to exclusive revelations. The Guardian has learned that the young woman lodged a formal complaint with the network's HR department in 2025, alleging Goodwin made remarks about her appearance, which left her deeply distressed.
Sources indicate that Goodwin, 44, voluntarily apologised after the grievance was raised. The staffer later left GB News for reasons unrelated to the incident. A lawyer representing Goodwin confirmed the complaint involved two alleged verbal remarks made months apart, describing it as a "minor workplace matter" resolved through acknowledgment of a miscommunication or difference in perception.
Investigation and Political Fallout
GB News conducted an inquiry into the allegations, with sources familiar with the case stating both the woman's and Goodwin's accounts were found credible. The investigator noted Goodwin's apology as a positive step. Despite this, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, was informed of the complaint by a senior GB News staff member prior to Goodwin's selection as the byelection candidate.
Farage is understood to have dismissed the complaint as insufficiently serious to reconsider Goodwin's candidacy, reportedly characterising it as "that is just Matt being Matt". Weeks after the complaint surfaced, Goodwin was officially announced as the candidate for the byelection, triggered by Andrew Gwynne's resignation due to health issues.
Controversial Campaign and Background
Goodwin's campaign has been marred by further controversy, including past comments criticised by Labour MP Natalie Fleet as suggesting a "Handmaid's Tale" future for women. He also faced backlash for remarks on a podcast with Jordan Peterson about the "feminisation of higher education", and for asserting that UK-born individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds might not be considered British.
His candidacy drew swift endorsement from far-right figure Tommy Robinson, adding to the scrutiny. In a 2023 blog post, Goodwin proposed eliminating personal income tax for women with two or more children, highlighting his shift from academia to politics. After leaving his professorship at the University of Kent in 2024, he has become a prominent voice in Reform UK, with a Substack blog amassing 90,000 followers.
Reform UK, Goodwin, and GB News all declined to comment on the record regarding the allegations. The resolved complaint underscores ongoing debates about conduct and accountability in political and media circles.
