Charlene White Faces Backlash for Not Wearing a Poppy on Loose Women — Fans Divided Over Presenter’s Choice

Viewers of ITV’s popular daytime show Loose Women have expressed outrage after noticing that presenter Charlene White did not wear a poppy in honour of Remembrance Day, unlike her co-hosts.

While Oti Mabuse, Kelle Bryan, and Judi Love all displayed the red flower symbolizing respect for fallen soldiers, Charlene’s outfit was noticeably without one — sparking heated debate online.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), one viewer wrote:

“Charlene shouldn’t be presenting as she doesn’t want to wear a poppy. No respect.”



Another added:

“Does Charlene not care that many men lost their lives fighting for our country? The disrespect of her not wearing a poppy is disgraceful.”


However, others defended the ITV News presenter, arguing that wearing a poppy should be a personal choice.

“In a democracy, you are supposed to be free to have your own views and opinions — not what the poppy police say you should do,” one user countered.


This isn’t the first time Charlene has faced criticism over the issue. In a previous ITV article, she explained her reasons, revealing that the decision “was never easy” due to the racist and sexist abuse she receives online whenever she chooses not to wear the poppy.

She clarified that ITV’s editorial rules prohibit presenters from displaying visible charity support while anchoring news programming.

“Please don’t think that I don’t understand the sacrifices made by servicemen and women 100 years ago. I do,” Charlene wrote.
“It’s important to remember what our families fought for — the right to choose, and the right to freedom of speech and expression.”


Despite her explanation, the debate over freedom of choice versus public expectation continues to divide fans every year as Remembrance Day approaches.

Lere Olayinka Counters Sowore’s Court Claims, Says ‘Free Speech Isn’t a License for Defamation’

On Monday, October 6, 2025, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, reacted to a post by activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore regarding his ongoing legal battle with the Department of State Services (DSS).

Sowore had earlier taken to his X handle to share updates from a court hearing involving himself, Meta, and X (formerly Twitter). The activist revealed that the companies were dragged into the case over alleged defamatory posts — one of which labeled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) a criminal.

According to Sowore, Meta’s legal representative appeared to side with the DSS during the hearing, sparking online discussions about freedom of expression and digital censorship in Nigeria.

In response, Olayinka fired back on his own X page, emphasizing that freedom of speech does not include making unfounded criminal allegations against individuals.

The online exchange reignited public debate about free speech, accountability, and Nigeria’s cybercrime laws, particularly given Sowore’s history with the DSS following his 2019 #RevolutionNow movement.

As of now, neither side has escalated the matter further, but Nigerians are closely watching as the court proceedings unfold and the debate over digital rights continues.

Deji Adeyanju: Buhari’s Govt Jailed Me in 2019 to Stop Me From Voting

Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has recounted how the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari allegedly imprisoned him in 2019 to prevent him from voting in the general elections.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Adeyanju said he was arrested and detained in Kano State prison by Buhari’s government for openly opposing his rule.

In 2019, Buhari did not allow me to vote. He arrested me and locked me up in prison in Kano so that I couldn’t cast my ballot,
Adeyanju said, describing the move as part of a broader effort to silence dissent.

Adeyanju explained that his ordeal was a direct consequence of his consistent opposition to Buhari, whom he had warned Nigerians against electing as president back in 2015.

I said Buhari’s mob would suppress freedom of speech and expression. They would drive Nigeria into autocracy and mediocrity — and that was exactly what happened. I was vindicated, he added.

The activist said his detention was not an isolated case, noting that many critics and activists also faced harassment and arrests during Buhari’s tenure.

He maintained that the 2019 experience only strengthened his resolve to speak out against politicians he considers a threat to Nigeria’s democracy. According to him, he has since extended the same energy he used in challenging Buhari to scrutinizing other political figures, including Peter Obi and his supporters.

U.S. Warns Corrupt Judges Worldwide: Nigeria On Watch After Brazil’s Moraes Sanctioned


After sanctioning Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes for alleged human rights violations and abuse of power, the U.S. has issued a strong global warning—corrupt judicial officials, including those in Nigeria, won’t be shielded by their robes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the sanctions, imposed under the Global Magnitsky Act, are aimed at defending freedom of speech and fair trial rights. “Let this be a warning,” Rubio emphasized, as the U.S. vows to hold justice systems accountable on a global scale.

#GlobalMagnitskyAct #USSanctions #JusticeUnderWatch #NigeriaJudiciary #HumanRights #JudicialAbuse