{"id":804914,"date":"2026-03-05T04:55:22","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T04:55:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/804914\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T04:55:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T04:55:22","slug":"eamonn-holmes-passionately-defends-gb-news-co-star-dougie-beattie-over-disgusting-criticism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/804914\/","title":{"rendered":"Eamonn Holmes passionately defends GB News co-star Dougie Beattie over ‘disgusting’ criticism"},"content":{"rendered":"

GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes has publicly defended his colleague Dougie Beattie after the Northern Ireland reporter faced criticism following an investigation into alleged poor animal welfare at a government-funded farm. <\/p>\n

Dougie recently reported on conditions at the Hillsborough site run by Happy Farms, which receives significant taxpayer funding and is used to test policies from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).<\/p>\n

Footage shown in the investigation appeared to show animals kept in poor conditions, including pens covered in manure and livestock with visible wounds and sores.<\/p>\n

The report also raised concerns about pollution and the presence of raw sewage on site.<\/p>\n

\"Eamonn<\/p>\n

Eamonn Holmes jumped to the defence of his GB News colleague<\/p>\n

| GB News<\/p>\n

Northern Ireland\u2019s Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir later dismissed<\/a> Dougie and GB News as \u201cnot serious\u201d journalists during an exchange at the Northern Ireland Assembly.<\/p>\n

Responding to questions from Stormont member Timothy Gaston about whether he would meet the reporter to discuss the allegations, Mr Muir said: \u201cIn relation to meeting GB News, I will meet serious journalists\u2026 GB News is neither that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dougie retaliated: “Just so Mr Muir knows, I am 32 years in the media, in various roles inside that media.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am probably older than most journalists and I\u2019ve been in the media longer than most of the journalists in Northern Ireland have actually been alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Dougie<\/p>\n

Dougie Beattie<\/p>\n

| <\/p>\n

GB NEWS<\/p>\n

Following the broadcast, Eamonn took to social media to show his support for his colleague.<\/p>\n

He wrote on X: \u201cDisgusting! If they were all as dedicated as you Dougie. My respect and admiration. If there is failure here there will be failures elsewhere.”<\/p>\n

Eamonn’s comments quickly drew supportive responses from viewers.<\/p>\n

One user wrote: \u201cWell done, Dougie. One of the best professional reporters in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Disgusting!
If they were all as dedicated as you Dougie . My respect and admiration . If there is failure here there will be failures elsewhere. \ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n

\u2014 Eamonn Holmes OBE (@EamonnHolmes) March 4, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Another added: \u201cNot shocking in the slightest the civil service is a joke with absolutely no accountability and the politicians always back them up.\u201d<\/p>\n

A third commented: \u201cIt\u2019s no shock to me that something government funded turned out [badly].\u201d<\/p>\n

The investigation centres on concerns raised by whistleblowers about conditions at the Hillsborough site.<\/p>\n

According to the report, concerns were initially brought to politicians within Mr Muir\u2019s Alliance Party in May 2025.<\/p>\n

However, after months passed without action, the whistleblowers eventually approached Dougie and GB News with the footage.<\/p>\n

Farmer David Irwin has since called for the Agriculture Minister to resign over the issue.<\/p>\n

“I think the minister simply has to resign at this point,” he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are so many unanswered questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AndrewAndrew Muir told the Assembly Dougie Beattie and GB News are ‘not serious’ | DAERA<\/p>\n

Mr Irwin also questioned whether the allegations were properly investigated and why other media outlets had not reported on the claims.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cTo date we have not had the BBC or ITV or any of the other local mainstream news channels ask any questions about this.”<\/p>\n

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute declined an interview with GB News but previously said it had carried out an \u201cextensive and thorough investigation\u201d into the incidents.<\/p>\n

In a statement, the organisation said it was \u201caware of many of these incidents when they originally occurred and were content that they had been previously dealt with appropriately\u201d.<\/p>\n

It added that it \u201cstrenuously refutes any suggestions of poor farming practices\u201d.<\/p>\n