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Channel 4 forced to bring in security as newsreader abused following controversial interview

Cathy Newman was threatened over gender pay-gap debate

Channel 4 news presenter Cathy Newman has suffered a barrage of threats and abuse after grilling a radical academic over the gender pay-gap.

After the half-hour interview with Professor Jordan Peterson was aired social media went wild, with viewers divided over who came out on top.

The Canadian psychologist is reported to have a devoted following who attack anyone who disagrees with him.

During the interview the pair locked horns over the gender pay gap, with Peterson saying there were “multiple reasons” for it.

But Cathy Newman fired back, saying that as a woman, the pay gap, which is estimated to be an average of nine per cent, was unfair.

Although thousands on social media hurled abuse at her, it’s not clear what form the threats took or what measures have been put in place.

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But the show’s editor, Ben de Pear, yesterday tweeted: “Such is the scale of threat we @Channel4News are having to get security specialist in to carry out an analysis.

“I will not hesitate to get the police involved if necessary. What a terrible indictment of the times we live in.”

Saying the channel’s journalists expected to be held to account for their reporting, de Pear called it an ‘unacceptable response to a robust and engaging debate’.

A Channel 4 spokesperson echoed his comments, saying: “Our presenter Cathy Newman has been the target of unwarranted and unacceptable misogynistic abuse and threats.

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“As journalists in the public eye, our presenters expect criticism, but we will not tolerate this level of abuse towards our staff.

“We have taken immediate steps to ensure Cathy’s safety and security and continue to offer her our full support on this matter.

“As journalists in the public eye, our presenters expect criticism, but we will not tolerate this level of abuse towards our staff.

“We have taken immediate steps to ensure Cathy’s safety and security and continue to offer her our full support on this matter.”

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