Europe

Laurence Fox has been suspended from GB News over remarks about a woke female journalist, sparking furious backlash and calls for him to be barred from the network permanently.

GB News said that it suspended the My Son Hunter star and Reclaim Party leader for his “totally unacceptable” comments about far-left political commentator and PoliticsJoe journalist Ava Evans during his appearance on the Dan Wootton show.

Responding to Evans dismissing the idea of the government establishing a ministerial post for male issues, such as the much higher suicide rate for men, Fox said: “Show me a single self-respecting man that would like to climb into bed with that woman ever, ever, who wasn’t an incel. That little woman has been spoon-fed oppression day after day after day, starting with the lie of the gender wage gap.

“I’m going, like, if I met you in a bar and that was sentence three, chances of me just walking away are just huge. We need powerful, strong, amazing women who make great points for themselves. We don’t need this sort of feminist 4.0. They’re pathetic and embarrassing. Who’d want to shag that?”.

Announcing the suspension, GB News said in a statement on Wednesday morning: “GB News has formally suspended Laurence Fox while we continue our investigation into comments he made on the channel last night. Mr Fox’s suspension is effective immediately and he has been taken off air. We will be apologising formally to Ms Evans today.”

Laurence Fox just did a whole speech on GB News on why men apparently won’t shag me ? pic.twitter.com/XoQD0DUQVm

— Ava-Santina (@AvaSantina) September 26, 2023

For his part, Mr Fox said that he would not apologise for his comments, which he claimed the broadcaster was made aware of prior to his appearance.

“I stand by every word of what I said. If a woman wants to go on television and belittle male suicide, she is totally within her rights to do so and not apologise, just as I am totally within my rights to say that I wouldn’t want to shag a hyper offended 4th wave feminist and not apologise, just as people are totally within their rights to be offended by my stating I would run a mile in the opposite direction from women like her, should our paths cross in a bar,” Fox said.

“It’s called free speech. I realise that the new woke world is low on laughter and high on offence, but it’s still worth trying to find the lighter moments in this joyless new cancel culture which has been created for us.”

“Without free speech and the presumption of innocence we are not free. We aren’t quite communist Eastern Europe yet. We may very close, but not quite there. It’s still worth fighting for. So if you are expecting a grovelling apology, I suggest you don’t hold your breath. I won’t ever apologise to the mob,” Fox declared.

While everyone is throwing Laurence Fox under the bus for crass comments last night:

Does anyone remember last year, when Ava said women are entitled to weaponise false rape accusations to terrify men, and implied my friends and I are rapists-in-waiting?

Almost a million views… pic.twitter.com/zD0qHwuYVG

— Connor Tomlinson (@Con_Tomlinson) September 27, 2023

Fox also claimed Ms Evans has an apparent history of making similar statements about who she would not “ shag “.

Britain’s broadcasting regulator, Ofcom told The Times that it has received a number of complaints from the public about the segment and is investigating whether Fox’s statements violated broadcasting regulations.

Pouring on pressure, leftist Labour MP Stella Creasy said to Evans on social media: “This clearly breaches Ofcom guidelines on your right to privacy and unfair treatment. You shouldn’t have to put up with this and it’s their job to make sure GB News are held accountable for it. If they don’t act let us know and we will follow up.”

Laurence Fox, Counterculture Icon: When ‘My Son Hunter’ Star Called Woke BBC Audience Member Racist for Insisting He Has ‘White Privilege’ https://t.co/1oQWrXD8G8

— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) September 3, 2022

Follow Kurt Zindulka on Twitter: Follow @KurtZindulka or e-mail to: [email protected]

With its crystal clear lake and rugged snow-capped mountains, Lucerne has long been one of Switzerland’s most popular destinations for an alpine retreat. Europe’s upper strata were drawn to the alps as early as the 1760s, for mountaineering and hiking. But Lucerne really took off in the 19 ^th century, following the opening of the first hotel in 1835, the expansion of alpine health resorts and Queen Victoria visiting the town for a long summer retreat in 1868 as she mourned the death of her husband.

Today, Lucerne retains all of its medieval charm with an enchanting old town divided by the River Reuss, a sight so picturesque, it invites you to slow down. Whether lounging by the pool, the beach or floating in the lake itself, Lucerne’s natural beauty make it an obvious destination for wellness. All you need is a weekend here to feel relaxed and rejuvenated—here’s how to spend it.

Evening

Check in to the Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern . Built in 1906, this Belle Époque landmark was originally designed to be a Mediterranean retreat in the heart of Switzerland. A recent renovation honors the hotel’s initial purpose by complimenting the original soaring columns and sparkling chandeliers with sumptuous textures, smooth curves and a Mediterranean color palette. The striking lake and mountains viewed from the hotel serve as the inspiration for the 136 spacious guestrooms—which include 48 of the city’s largest suites—making the hotel a sanctuary of calm you won’t want to leave.

Morning

Hiking in the Swiss countryside

While you might never tire of the view from your hotel, to feel more immersed in nature, head out to one of the many hiking trails around Lucerne. A short drive north from the city, you’ll find Lake Rotsee , known as Lake Lucerne’s little brother. The flat 4-mile loop around the lake is a popular trail for joggers and hikers. Set in a nature reserve, the lakeside area is pristine, offering many spots to pause and enjoy the views. Further afield, a slightly longer hike is found on the small mountain of Sonnenberg . A shuttle funicular from Kriens helps you get there, and it’s worth the journey for the views of the Swiss mountains, Lucerne and Lake Lucerne.

Closer to the city, you’ll find a 4.5 mile hike with more mountain and lake views through Biregg Forest . In the winter, snow and cold doesn’t have to prevent you from getting outdoors, with snowshoeing trails at Eigenthal and Schwarzenberg .

Afternoon

Lunch in Old Town

Return to the city for a hearty lunch at Burgerstube , which dates back to 1517, when it was an unlicensed bar. Don’t be fooled by the name—the menu here includes Swiss classics like veal pie and rosti, along with Italian dishes like risotto and truffle ravioli. The set lunch menu is the most popular choice, as it gets you two appetizers, a main and dessert. Take your pick between dining inside, amidst 19 ^th century neo-gothic interiors, or the peaceful rooftop patio overlooking a quiet cobblestone street.

Water therapy

After strolling through old town following lunch, take a dip at Seebad Luzern , conveniently located across the street from your hotel. The bathhouse dates back to 1885 and you can still feel remnants of its 19 ^th century origins with two pools and changing rooms that were once segregated by gender. Despite a major renovation in 2010, the original wooden Belle Époque pool has been kept intact, encircled by a terrace that offers views of the mountains, lake and city. The seaside resort is also a venue for yoga classes twice a week.

For more hydrotherapy, head out of town to the Kneipp Facilities set high above the Waldemmen Valley. What was once a reservoir used to provide power to a timber mill and wood product factory, has been transformed into a health facility that honors the late Sebastian Kneipp , a 19 ^th century leader of the naturopathic medicine movement. Here you can practice hot and cold water therapy followed by a therapeutic walk on the barefoot path made of wood, spruce cones and glass, to help improve circulation.

Evening

Dinner at Quai 10

If you stayed in town for a relaxing afternoon at Seebad Luzern, the obvious dinner choice is just a few steps away at Quai 10. Following a couple hours of water therapy, refreshing Mediterranean fare served al fresco is just what the doctor ordered. The vibrant, locally-driven dishes—think: cauliflower salad with hazelnuts and apricot and piri-piri chicken with grilled zucchini and tomato confit—are as colorful as the landscape viewed from that patio. Equally as bright are the cocktails—like the ‘Bluebay Smash’ which mixes gin and blueberries—and spritzes that combine prosecco with elderflower and cherry blossom.

Morning and Afternoon

Mountain adventures

While Lucerne is undoubtedly a destination in and of itself, it’s worth taking a break from the city to visit Mount Pilatus . The journey starts with a scenic ferry ride from the Lucerne harbor, complete with a full-service café for first-class travelers on the second floor. The views continue on the 30-minute ride up the mountain on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. Once you’ve reached the top, there are several strenuous hiking trails that take you to the various peaks, each with striking panoramic views. Refuel for lunch with a hearty alpine meal at Restaurant Pilatus-Kulm .

Alpine Spa Treatment

After the near-full day mountain excursion, a spa treatment inspired by the Swiss Alps at SPA Bellefontaine is the perfect refresh before dinner. As the name suggests, this spa is built around the Bellefontaine brand, a coveted Swiss beauty line that uses natural ingredients from the Alps. The star ingredient incorporated into many of their facial treatments is Edelweiss flower extract. Due to its ability to survive high altitude conditions of the Swiss Alps, the flower has strong antioxidant properties, which enable it to boost collagen and strengthen the skin’s barrier. Edelweiss cream is the final touch in one of their most popular treatments—the ‘Luzern Palace’—which combines a full-body massage and facial. Make sure to leave extra time for the sauna, steam bath and experiential showers.

Evening

Dinner at Colonnade

Downstairs from the spa, you’ll find one of Lucerne’s finest restaurants—Colonnade. With regal columns, ornate chandeliers and expansive arched windows giving way to sparkling lake views, the elegant setting is the perfect setting for the artful culinary presentation that awaits. While a nine-course French feast is not an obvious choice for a wellness retreat, the two tasting menus here—one with meat and one without—make vegetables the star of the plate.

Appetizers look like a bright heirloom tomato tarte with romesco sauce, while the vegetarian main makes an entrée out of barigoule lettuce by dousing it in a rich buttermilk and herb oil atop a bed of diced courgetti. Even the palate cleanser is refreshing—a herbaceous geranium sorbet balanced on a bed of minty cucumber. The splurge-worthy experience is an indulgent send-off following a weekend of wellness decadence.

Morning

Brunch at Tibits

Since you’ll likely be heading to your next destination by train, don’t miss this popular European fast-casual spot for plant-based eats located on the first floor of the train station. The buffet of more than 40 vegetarian and vegan dishes has everything from vegetable tartare to vegan cheesecake, and changes daily based on what’s in season.