All entries on Feminist Legal Clinic’s News Digest Blog are extracts from news articles and other publications, with the source available at the link at the bottom. The content is not originally generated by Feminist Legal Clinic and does not necessarily reflect our views.
Deborah Meaden has conceded that her “eyes have been opened” to the dangers of cancel culture after initially appearing to question its existence earlier this week.
The Dragons’ Den star found herself at the centre of a heated online debate when she questioned GB News regular Adam Brooks for “examples” of when anyone has “cancelled, sacked or arrested” in Britain for their opinions.
Ms Meaden’s request for evidence prompted an avalanche of responses from high-profile figures and ordinary citizens alike, each sharing their experiences of cancellation.
The exchange, which took place earlier this week, has since been viewed by hundreds of thousands of users and sparked widespread criticism of the BBC star’s handling of the numerous examples presented to her.
Among those who responded was Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan, who recounted how he lost his career and a musical adaptation of the beloved sitcom after speaking out against transgender ideology in defence of women’s rights.
Pool player Lynne Pinches, GB News regular Connie Shaw, former Green Party deputy leader Sharar Ali, and many others also provided Ms Meaden with accounts of their experiences.
And returning to the social media platform on Sunday, Ms Meaden conceded she framed her initial enquiry “poorly” and that she was “tunnel-visioned” on her belief that some solely used the concept of free speech as an excuse to express hate speech.
Source: Deborah Meaden admits ‘I was tunnel-visioned’ over cancel culture denial as BBC star makes U-turn