Loose Women star Saira Khan has reportedly sparked complaints to media watchdog Ofcom after slamming the government for announcing a second COVID-19 lockdown.
The presenter, 50, furiously claimed the nation should be punished for a ‘minority’ of rule breakers as it isn’t ‘a totalitarian state,’ days before England was plunged into a month-long lockdown to try and curb the spread of COVID-19.
Saira’s claims sparked a war of words with her fellow panellists as she insisted the pandemic had already led to increased suicide rates, a lack of cancer treatments, and loss of funds to charities.
Drama: Loose Women star Saira Khan has reportedly sparked complaints to media watchdog Ofcom after slamming the government for announcing a second COVID-19 lockdown
According to The Sun, Saira’s comments led 25 viewers to complain to Ofcom, who will now decide whether to investigate.
The second lockdown began on Thursday (November 5th) with all pubs restaurants and non-essential shops ordered to close.
Members of the public were advised to stay home when possible, and to only leave their houses for work or to collect essential supplies.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Ofcom and Loose Women for comment.
Rage: The presenter furiously claimed the nation should be punished for a ‘minority’ of rule breakers as it ‘isn’t a totalitarian state,’ leading to 25 viewer complaints
Speaking about the lockdown on Monday’s Loose Women, Saira said: ‘I’m not saying I have the answer, I’m giving a different approach.
‘As far as I’m concerned, charities are losing money, suicides are going through the roof, people have lost the opportunity to have cancer treatments.
‘Sorry but that’s not a balanced approach in our country. Lockdown does not provide that.’
Hitting out: Getting into a explosive debate with her co-panellists, Saira said the first lockdown led to increased suicide rates, a lack of cancer treatments, and lose of funds to charities
Rant: As Gloria Hunniford asked her for an answer to the rising rate of COVID-19 infections in the country, Saira said: ‘I’m not saying I have the answer, I’m giving a different approach’
Gloria Hunniford said in response to Saira’s frustrations: ‘This is such a world issue. Saira, I respect you a lot and your business.
‘You or nobody else has the ultimate answer. This is a huge problem. The government has worked hard to make sure the furlough continues.’
The TV presenter went on to ask Saira if she had ‘the answer’ to the global pandemic, given she was so against there being another lockdown.
She claimed: ‘I’ve just given you the answer! The answer is not go into full lockdown!’
Defence: Gloria said in response: ‘You or nobody else has the ultimate answer. This is a huge problem. The government has worked hard to make sure the furlough continues’
Reflecting: Andrea McLean then stepped in, saying: ‘Surely you can see there comes a point where the government goes you know what, we’re going to have to just shut everything down’
Andrea agreed that businesses, which will be made to close once again, were ‘abiding by the law’ and rules set out by the government, but there were members of the public who weren’t doing the same.
And Saira continued: ‘I get that, we shouldn’t allow that to happen. But that’s where the government can put in protocol to break these raves up.’
Andrea stepped in, saying: ‘So what I’m saying is, and I’m hearing all your opinions, I’m not necessarily coming down on either side here, but surely you can see there comes a point where the government goes you know what, we’re going to have to just shut everything down.’
Getting frustrated, Saira said loudly: ‘We don’t live in a totalitarian state! If you live in China, and the government’s going to tell you what to do you’re going to do it.
Candid: Getting frustrated, Saira hit back: ‘We don’t live in a totalitarian state… we have to find a way that is very balanced and find a way to keep people’s lives going in a safe environment’
Claim: Saira went on, ”You can’t say the majority of people didn’t pay respect to it. It’s a minority of people causing the problems and the whole nation shouldn’t have to pay for that’
‘We are a very different nation of people and it’s different policies for different cultures and people, and we have to find a way that is very balanced and find a way to keep people’s lives going in a safe environment.
‘You can’t say the majority of people didn’t pay respect to it. It’s a minority of people causing the problems and the whole nation shouldn’t have to pay for that.’
Discussing how the public can help during the second lockdown, Brenda said: ‘People need to take personal responsibility. If you want to get out of this, do something about it.
‘If you’re a member of parliament, stick to these guidelines and everyone will follow your example.’
Do your part: Discussing how the public can limit the lockdown, Brenda Edwards said: ‘People need to take personal responsibility. If you want to get out of this, do something about it’