"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"Ofcom-Watch has instructed a senior barrister to lead an independent inquiry into the alleged election interference by Channel 4 Television.
This matter relates to a Channel Four News programme broadcasted on 27 June 2024 during the UK General Election, in which multiple allegations against the Reform UK Party were made, including of racism and Islamophobia, based in large part on opinions voiced by a man who appears to be an actor, Andrew Parker.
A company called 'Lee Sorrell Media' appears to have sold the undercover footage to Channel Four and we are concerned about the effect this had on the ability to investigate the company’s use of the actor.
Mr. Lee Sorrell was previously Head of Investigations at ITV from 2004 - 2009 and before that he undertook the same role for LWT from 1993 - 2003. "Ofcom has a specific regulatory framework during UK General Elections and has a duty to follow guidance it has issued under the Communications Act 2003.
We are concerned to establish whether these and other broadcasting standards and regulatory guidelines may have been breached by the payment of financial inducements to influence voters other than through the restricted use of party-political advertising.
"The remit of the inquiry will be to conduct a thorough investigation into the facts including whether Mr Parker appeared in the broadcast, whether (if so) he was paid, his instructions from Lee Sorrell Media, whether the reporter was aware of his involvement, what communications took place between Channel Four, Lee Sorrell Media and Mr Parker and whether Channel Four was aware or should have been aware of the use of a paid undercover actor by its contractor.
It will then consider whether there may have been breaches of any law or guidance – including electoral law – and whether the facts of this incident show the need for electoral law to be tightened to address the use of paid actors in reports by news organisations. "Ofcom-Watch and the Reform UK Party will then consider whether to make formal complaints to Channel Four, Ofcom and (if the inquiry finds evidence of criminal conduct) to the police or the Director of Public Prosecutions.
"We believe that there is worrying evidence of electoral interference and the breach of the law that may have had a serious effect on the democratic process.
This incident is particularly concerning as the report was broadcast so close to the general election."The use of a paid undercover actor by Channel 4 and their associates is central to our inquiry.
We believe this constitutes serious election interference. "A company called 'Lee Sorrell Media' sold the undercover footage to Channel 4 in an attempt to thwart any retrospective audit trails linked to the actor (Andrew Parker).
Mr. Lee Sorrell, based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire was previously Head of Investigations at ITV from 2004 - 2009 and before that he undertook the same role for LWT from 1993 - 2003.
We would like to see what communications took place between C4, Sorrell and Andrew Parker?
These are serious breaches of the UK Electoral Law under "election interference". Ofcom has a separate regulatory framework during UK General Elections and we believe these may have been seriously breached.
