Nadia Sawalha Sues ITV Over Loose Women Axing Amid Pro-Palestine Stance

Presenter Nadia Sawalha is taking ITV to court after being removed from the television program Loose Women, alleging the network treated her unlawfully over her support for Palestine. Sawalha, 61, described the dispute as a "mountain of tension" and stated her belief that her "protected beliefs" were the basis for her dismissal.

At the Ethnicity Awards in London, where individuals and organizations supporting ethnic minority communities are celebrated, Sawalha informed attendees, "I'm officially not on Loose Women any more, as of four weeks ago. I'm taking ITV to court. It's a mountain of tension." A source present at the event noted that Sawalha spoke loudly about the legal action and reiterated her feelings about Palestine in front of the audience.

During the awards ceremony, while presenting a prize, Sawalha commented on the event's atmosphere, saying, "The food was spicy, the jokes were spicy, I needed this tonight. I needed to be with people with like-minded hearts and souls and with many who would also like to free Palestine, I imagine." She had been nominated for a Broadcaster, Journalist or Host award, a category ultimately won by her former Loose Women colleague Charlene White.

An ITV source told The Mail on Sunday that the broadcaster was "not aware" of any court action but confirmed receipt of a legal letter, to which they have responded. Sawalha's representatives directed inquiries to a previous interview with online news outlet Zeteo, where she stated her belief that pursuing legal action against ITV would end her television career. "I know that taking ITV to court means I will never work on television again. And I accepted that is what I had to do," she said.

Sawalha has drawn comparisons between her situation with ITV and a relationship with a "coercively controlling boyfriend." In an August Instagram video, she announced that her legal team had sent a pre-action letter to ITV alleging unlawful treatment due to her "protected philosophical beliefs, namely her anti-Zionist beliefs," which she asserts are protected under the Equality Act 2010. Her lawyers argue that she faced direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, and harassment, and was treated less favorably than other ITV presenters who had faced public complaints. The legal team is seeking an apology from ITV and assurances that Sawalha will not be removed from future programs due to her public statements on Palestine.

Sawalha, who has British-Jordanian heritage, first appeared on Loose Women when it launched in 1999, leaving in 2002 before returning in 2013. She initially gained fame on the television series EastEnders in 1997.