Mark White in furious row with political strategist over radical Islam in the wake of Berlin Pride attack: ‘You heard my question!’

Abdul Ballout, a 21-year-old 'dangerous Islamist' and prime suspect for the attack, was shot dead by police yesterday

Mark White has clashed with Pablo O’Hana during a heated exchange over radical Islam following the Berlin Pride attack, as the political strategist was unwilling to blame the ideology for the act.

The pair also locked horns over the Labour MP Kate Osborne's claim that the attack was connected to the rise of Reform UK and GB News.

Ms Osborne wrote in a social media post that the party and broadcaster had contributed to “an escalation of hate and verbal attacks online” which acted as a “catalyst for real-world physical violence”.

The GB News Home and Security Editor criticised Ms Osborne for failing to mention Islamist extremism in her “ridiculous” response to the attack, arguing that the motive had been clear.

Abdul Ballout, a 21-year-old “dangerous Islamist” and prime suspect for the attack, was shot dead by police yesterday.

Mr O'Hana responded that society should focus on “finding common ground” and tackling division.

While admitting that some of Ms Osborne’s claims were a “stretch”, he acknowledged her overall point that the attack “fits into a broader pattern of increased division and hatred across the world".

He added: “I'm not suggesting that GB News, Nigel Farage, or Reform is specifically responsible for this attack.

"Of course they're not. But I do think there is a broader pattern: increased division across the world."

Mark pushed back, challenging Mr O’Hana’s apparent reticence to address radical Islam in itself as a potential motivating factor in the attack.

He argued: “This was an Islamist extremist who will never have watched GB News in his life... This was an individual with hate in his heart for the gay community. Nothing to do with Reform or GB News.

“This is a specific problem, Pablo... Islamist extremism, in which unfortunately Islamists have a very negative view towards the gay community.

“This is a specific problem which requires a political response,” he insisted.

“Let's just be really clear. Extreme Islamists, yes, they have an issue with gay people,” the political strategist responded, stressing that this was not necessarily the case with the moderate majority.

Mark then jumped in, asking: “In how many Muslim countries is homosexuality legal?”

The row then erupted, with Mark repeatedly posing the question while Mr O’Hana reiterated his initial stance.

Cutting through the exchange, Mark said: “You heard my question. Can you answer?”

“I am a fierce defender of women's rights, of gay rights... If you come to the UK or Europe, you should adhere to our values and our rules," the political strategist responded.

Closing the discussion, Mark said: “I think we'd all like a more unified world, but unfortunately you have to pinpoint the problem in order to fix it.”

Ms Osborne told The People’s Channel: “Of course, the statement didn’t blame GB News for the attack - that is clear for all to see.

“GB News has legitimised hatred and allowed slurs against LGBT people in the name of ‘debate’. As my original statement said, we see these patterns emerging across Europe: an escalation of hate, and verbal attacks online act as a catalyst for real-world physical violence.”