Madeley’s comment was labelled ‘insensitive’, with many calling for him to be sacked
Richard Madeley has sparked outrage after asking “how is rape a weapon of war?” following reports that Russian soldiers have been sexually assaulting Ukrainian women during an invasion now being branded a genocide.
Madeley and co-host Kate Garraway were discussing the latest atrocities reported in Ukraine on Good Morning Britain on Monday with Chip Chapman, a former senior British advisor to US central command when viewers were left stunned by the question.
The UK’s ambassador to Ukraine said on Sunday that she was aware of reports of women and girls being raped in front of their families, describing it as a “deliberate act of subjugation”.
"How is rape a weapon of war?" – Richard Madeley on #GMB@GMB – enough! Get rid of him, please.
— Clare (@cjsbella) April 4, 2022
“Chip, we’ve said something that was widely reported this morning that rape was used as a weapon of war. How exactly is rape a weapon of war?”, asked Madeley.
Chapman explained: “It’s trying to impose some sort of will on the enemy as I mentioned in Second World War times”, adding, “it is absolutely horrific and if you’ve got compromised morality and unchecked… with those with weapons you have a lethal combination of the future.”
https://twitter.com/ArgyleLoz/status/1510875286988111875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1510875286988111875%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D327442action%3Dedit
The former inter-governmental advisor went on to note that the Russian unit reportedly responsible for such war crimes was the “64 Motor Rifle Regiment Brigade”, which pulled out of the city of Bucha on Sunday, but went on to warn that this may not be an isolated incident.
Regardless, for many, this was yet another comment worthy of an Ofcom complaint, with the 65-year-old journalist and presenter having sparked outrage for numerous other remarks during his time on the show.
https://twitter.com/DharricRolyat/status/1510878338608422912?s=20&t=y9Fhd_Iq0Fj1WKYS3AamCw
GMB 6.37am today:
Richard Madeley to guest "So in what way is rape a weapon of war, exactly?"
WTF??????? 😡
— Tony Kerridge (@KerridgeTony) April 4, 2022
'how is rape a weapon of war, exactly?' – richard madeley
like if you need to ask that kinda ignorant question you shouldn't be getting paid money to opine on shit.
— รℓσαɳε ℓყรɓεÆɦ (@SloaneFragment) April 4, 2022
Madeley has previously caused controversy for calling female guests “darling” and “sweetheart”, asking women whether they were cautious enough prior to being spiked, and even bringing up the subject of the Hitler Youth when discussing Shamima Begum – just to name a few.
Among certain sub-sections calling for Madeley to be sacked, some took the time to highlight resources explaining exactly why sexual violence is and has been used as a weapon of war for centuries.
@richardm56 @GMB
I narrated this doc for the UN about conflict related sexual violence , I hope it helps you to understand 'how exactly is rape a weapon of war' & the horrifying consequences of sexual violence for many people.
Director @NatachaHorn https://t.co/UrVO8DtNn5— Tanita Tikaram💙 (@tanita_tikaram) April 4, 2022
The uproar comes after Charity Human Rights Watch said it had uncovered evidence of “unspeakable, deliberate cruelty and violence” against Ukrainian civilians, declaring that these acts must be investigated as war crimes.
The cases we documented amount to unspeakable, deliberate cruelty & violence against #Ukrainian civilians.
Rape, murder & other violent acts against people in the #Russian forces’ custody should be investigated as war crimes.@HughAWilliamson @hrw https://t.co/rGHPOg1fjp pic.twitter.com/0lWlCjK9XX
— Birgit Schwarz (@BirgitMSchwarz) April 4, 2022
Neither Madeley nor GMB are yet to issue a response regarding the comments.
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