Nadia Sawalha Sues ITV Over Loose Women Axing Citing Pro-Palestine Stance
Presenter claims unlawful treatment due to protected beliefs, states she is taking broadcaster to court.
Nadia Sawalha, a presenter on the British television program Loose Women, has initiated legal action against ITV, alleging unlawful treatment and discrimination stemming from her public support for Palestine. Sawalha, 61, claims the television network’s actions violated her protected beliefs.
Speaking at the Ethnicity Awards in London, Sawalha announced her departure from Loose Women, stating, "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 told The Mail on Sunday that Sawalha spoke openly about the legal proceedings. "She was speaking loudly just outside the Press room about taking ITV to court and there was no mistaking what she said," the source reported. Sawalha also made her views on Palestine clear during her remarks on stage.
While presenting an award, Sawalha commented on the event, 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."
Sawalha, who is British-Jordanian, was nominated for the Broadcaster, Journalist or Host award at the ceremony, an award ultimately given to her former Loose Women colleague, Charlene White, who did not attend the event.
In response to inquiries, an ITV representative stated they were not aware of any court action but confirmed receipt of a legal letter, to which they had responded. "She sent a legal letter to us and we have responded," the ITV source said.
An interview with online news outlet Zeteo from last month revealed Sawalha's belief that pursuing legal action against ITV would likely 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 stated.
Sawalha has previously drawn parallels between her experience with ITV and a relationship with a "coercively controlling boyfriend." In an August Instagram video, she detailed that her legal team had sent a letter to ITV alleging unlawful treatment based on her protected beliefs.
Her lawyers, representing her through the European Legal Support Centre, stated in a pre-action letter that they allege ITV subjected Sawalha to direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, and harassment because of her "anti-Zionist beliefs," which they assert are protected under the Equality Act 2010. The lawyers are seeking an apology and assurances from ITV that Sawalha will not be removed from future programs due to her lawful commentary on Palestine.
Sawalha first gained fame on the soap opera EastEnders in 1997. She initially joined Loose Women at its inception in 1999, departing in 2002 before rejoining the panel in 2013.