Nadia Sawalha Initiates Legal Action Against Loose Women
Presenter alleges unlawful treatment and 'bullying out' of role following pro-Palestinian advocacy.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Callum Smith
Nadia Sawalha has announced legal action against Loose Women.
Sawalha shared an update via Instagram on Thursday: 'My legal team at ELSC [European Legal Support Centre] have today written to ITV alleging that I have been treated unlawfully due to my protected beliefs.' She added, 'Now before I say anything else, I want to say how sad I am that it has got to this. Believe me, I have appealed to ITV's hearts and minds but to no avail.'
Sawalha claims producers 'messed around' with her position on the line-up, repeatedly altering it after she voiced pro-Palestinian beliefs.
She began speaking publicly in support of Palestine in December 2023. This, she claims, initiated an escalating campaign of smears, complaints, hostile media coverage, and targeted calls for her removal from Loose Women.
It's all a bit noisy out there for us.
ITV took Sawalha on and off the show multiple times. The reason often cited: 'It's all a bit noisy out there for us.'
Sawalha asserts ITV continued to change the goalposts, stating they could not guarantee she would not be removed again, depending on what was said.
A 15-page dossier, demanding Sawalha not return to the show, reached ITV higher-ups in June.
Additionally, a letter from a group of prominent pro-Israel media figures sent a 20-page document to ITV, urging them not to reinstate her.
Sawalha denied she had been suspended from Loose Women, clarifying her position.
Two newspapers previously accusing Sawalha and her husband of antisemitism and supporting terrorism have since issued apologies and paid damages.
Sources indicate significant internal conflict regarding Sawalha's position on the show. Some defended her; others refused to work with her.
Some backstage personnel considered Sawalha a 'loose cannon.' They worried about their own reputations being tarnished.
The cast felt a double standard in how Sawalha had been treated compared to other stars.
Sawalha declared, 'enough is enough.' Others, she stated, have faced similar repercussions for speaking according to their conscience.
She urged supporters to sign a petition, stating, 'Two years ago, there was a petition to have me removed from Loose Women and I want to show there are many more people with us than against us.'
The Standard has contacted ITV for comment regarding the ongoing situation.