THE UK’s media watchdog has launched an investigation into whether broadcasting rules were broken by a senior Labour MP.
David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, presented a show on LBC on March 29. As part of the three-hour broadcast, he read out news including about the resignation of Jeffrey Donaldson as leader of the DUP.
Ofcom said it was probing whether or not the appearance had breached rules preventing politicians from acting as newsreaders.
The episode has been taken down from LBC’s online player, which instead only says: “Page currently unavailable, sorry!”
A total of 51 complaints were sent to Ofcom about the show, Sky News reported.
In March, Ofcom ruled that five GB News shows presented by Tory MPs had breached broadcasting rules.
According to the rules, a politician cannot be a newsreader, interviewer or reporter unless there is editorial justification.
GB News host Darren Grimes highlighted Lammy's newsreading on March 29, writing online: "Labour politician David Lammy breaking news on LBC.
"Dear @Ofcom, I assume you’ll be sanctioning them for this, as you did GB News, thus proving your impartiality? I’ll not hold my breath."
On Monday, the watchdog also announced that it would not be taking action against Julia Hartley-Brewer.
The controversial TalkTV host had interviewed Dr Mustafa Barghouti, the general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative, in January in a segment which was criticised internationally after she suggested he was misogynistic.
READ MORE: Ofcom may have 'good reason' to change rules on politician presenters
Ofcom said it had received a "significant volume of complaints" because Hartley-Brewer's comments were perceived to be connected to Barghouti's ethnicity.
However, after investigating the interview, Ofcom said: "Strong guidance has been issued, but following a careful assessment we have decided not to formally investigate."
The watchdog also said it would not be pursuing complaints about a gender dysphoria storyline in Hollyoaks, or any directed towards Celebrity Big Brother.
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