{"id":26411,"date":"2023-11-29T20:08:59","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T20:08:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/berkshiredoulas.com\/?p=26411"},"modified":"2023-11-29T20:08:59","modified_gmt":"2023-11-29T20:08:59","slug":"itvs-nigel-farage-stitch-up-would-have-broken-ofcom-rules-warns-top-lawyer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/berkshiredoulas.com\/politics\/itvs-nigel-farage-stitch-up-would-have-broken-ofcom-rules-warns-top-lawyer\/","title":{"rendered":"ITVs Nigel Farage stitch up would have broken Ofcom rules warns top lawyer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lawyer chats to GB News about Farage ‘racism stitch-up’<\/h3>\n

ITV’s alleged attempt to “stitch up” Nigel Farage broke media rules and would have landed the channel in serious trouble if they had pressed ahead with allegations against the former Brexit Party leader, it has been claimed.<\/p>\n

Top media lawyer Jonathan Coad, who has had clients who were in the jungle for previous I’m a Celebrity… shows, said that ITV had risked getting into trouble with the broadcast media watchdog Ofcom and could have faced severe fines.<\/p>\n

The experienced lawyer, who once worked for ITV, told GB News that the attempt to run a story “making a serious allegation” of racism against Farage required giving him to personally have a right of reply.<\/p>\n

He noted that the contract Farage signed to go on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! meant that he is not able to have any contact with the outside world while he is in the jungle.<\/p>\n

Mr Coad, who has “legalled out programs” for 30 years, said: “When I worked for ITV they were very keen to comply with the Ofcom code. Now Ofcom is a respected regulator it has the power to fine and ultimately take away licences.”<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Farage’s friends’ fury as ITV plans racism claims ahead of I’m a Celebrity vote<\/strong><\/p>\n

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He noted that paragraph section 7.11 of the Ofcom code says that if serious accusations are made there is “appropriate and timely opportunity to respond.”<\/p>\n

He went on: “Now the problem here is that you cannot [do this]in a situation where Nigel Farage cannot be spoken to.<\/p>\n

“What ITV seem to be doing, which for me is a serious breach in my professional opinion, it is essential Nigel Farage is given the opportunity to give a response personally.”<\/p>\n

He said that his advice would have been to the program that they “cannot make that allegation” because of Mr Farage’s inability to respond.<\/p>\n

Mr Coad said that if it does come out then Mr Farage’s lawyer should write to Ofcom.<\/p>\n

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