• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact us
TLE ONLINE SHOP!
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

PM accused of ‘running scared’ and ‘threatening free press’ over C4 debate row

The Tories have complained to the broadcasting regulator over the Channel 4 News climate debate

Joe Mellor by Joe Mellor
2019-11-29 10:32
in Politics
Credit;PA

Credit;PA

FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

Labour has accused the Prime Minister of “trying to restrict the free press” by threatening Channel 4 and of “running scared” of scrutiny by not committing to a BBC interview with Andrew Neil.

A Tory source suggested the party may review Channel 4’s public service broadcasting position after it replaced the PM with an ice sculpture on Thursday evening when he refused to take part in a climate change debate.

The party also made a formal complaint to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom’s election committee over what it said was “a provocative partisan stunt, which would itself constitute making a political opinion in its own right”.

General Election 2019
An ice sculpture is put in place for Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the studio before the start of the Channel 4 News’ General Election climate debate

A Tory source told the Daily Telegraph: “If we are re-elected we will have to review Channel 4’s public service broadcasting obligations.”

But Channel 4 hit back, saying Mr Gove was not allowed to take part in the debate because it was for party leaders.

And Labour’s shadow culture secretary Tom Watson said it was “deeply concerning that a governing party would wish to restrict the free press”.

He added: “Decisions on granting, reviewing or revoking broadcasting licences are a matter for Ofcom.

RelatedPosts

Andrew Neil has Johnson hook, line and sinker on ‘leadership duty’ excuse

Boris Johnson snaps at Beth Rigby during tense press conference

All the pictures published in the Sue Gray report

PMQs – From humbled, to revived, to calling for Starmer to resign – all in one afternoon’s work

“It is not for Government to seek to impose its will on an independent regulator.

“It is deeply concerning that a governing party would wish to restrict the free press.

“I’m urging you to call out this meddling and demand that whichever political party wins the next General Election, allows Ofcom to operate freely from political interference.”

Tonight I went to Channel 4 to talk about climate change but Jeremy Corbyn and Nicola Sturgeon refused to debate a Conservative #climatedebate pic.twitter.com/NY1dQOzCgN

— Michael Gove (@michaelgove) November 28, 2019

Former Tory culture secretary Ed Vaizey added to the criticism, saying it is “not a sensible strategy for political parties to threaten broadcasters”.

Before the debate, the editor of Channel 4 News, Ben de Pear, tweeted a picture of Mr Gove and the Prime Minister’s father Stanley Johnson, who were both at the studio.

Mr Gove also posted footage of himself arriving and asking if he could be the Conservative voice in the debate.

After the programme, Mr de Pear said: “It was very kind of Michael Gove to offer himself to appear on Channel 4 News this evening, and we always welcome him on the programme.

“However, as we made clear to him repeatedly, because he is not the leader of the Conservative Party, his participation was not required at tonight’s #climatedebate – which was strictly for party leaders only.”

Rebecca Newsom, head of politics at Greenpeace UK, said: “Given how poorly Boris Johnson’s manifesto scored in our climate and nature ranking, it’s no surprise he refused to take part.

“This could have been an opportunity for him to set the record straight and commit to stronger policies.

“But running scared doesn’t just spark witty hashtags highlighting his cowardice, it demonstrates to voters a serious lack of leadership over a crisis that affects us all.”

Mr Johnson has also yet to agree to a slot for a head-to-head interview with Mr Neil on the BBC who has so far interviewed SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell accused the Prime Minister of “running scared” of being interviewed by Mr Neil.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “The reason he is doing it is because he thinks, like you know his Bullingdon Club friends, that they’re above the rest of us.

“That they don’t need to be held to account. They don’t need to treated like the rest of us. And so what he’s doing now is he’s avoiding, he’s running scared.

“Because he knows that Andrew Neil will take him apart. He’s running scared. But even if he does it now, he’s played you because he pushing it later and later beyond the postal vote returns.”

Mr Neil is due to interview Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage next week.

Tory candidate told Sikh politician he was ‘talking through his turban’

Since you are here

Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.

Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.

Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.

If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.

To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.

The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.

The shop can be found here.

You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Trending on TLE

  • All
  • trending
Abdollah

‘Rescue us’: Afghan teacher begs UK to help him escape Taliban

CHOMSKY: “If Corbyn had been elected, Britain would be pursuing a much more sane course”

What If We Got Rid Of Prisons?

More from TLE

How to make a perfect cup of coffee at home

Trump says something GREAT can come from mass shootings as he considers gun checks

“Grammar school plan will steal from children to give privileged few more choice”

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has contracted coronavirus in Iran prison, family says

Former chancellor Philip Hammond quits Parliament

Video – Police are hunting driver who dragged a woman down street

Lizard banned from park is now allowed to enter on condition his owner keeps him on lead

Is the date dead?

Pain and Glory: Magnífico

Lorry drivers safety rules further relaxed in effort to tackle shortages

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.




No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.