Labour's David Lammy being investigated by Ofcom over claims he broke broadcasting rules on LBC radio - weeks after watchdog ruled against Tory MP presenters on GB News
Labour's David Lammy is being investigated by media watchdog Ofcom over claims he breached broadcasting rules on LBC radio last month.
Ofcom today announced a March 29 episode of the shadow foreign secretary's show on the radio station was being examined after receiving 51 complaints.
'We're investigating whether this programme broke our rules on politicians acting as news presenters,' the watchdog said.
During last month's broadcast, Mr Lammy announced the news that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson had quit as DUP leader after being charged with historical sexual offences.
Sir Jeffrey is said to be 'strenuously contesting' all charges against him.
Labour's David Lammy is being investigated by media watchdog Ofcom over claims he breached broadcasting rules on LBC radio
The shadow foreign secretary earns around £1,000 per LBC show, which he regularly presents for three hours on a Sunday
Ofcom announced a March 29 episode of Mr Lammy's show on the radio station was being examined
Ofcom's 'due impartiality' rules for broadcasters state: 'No politician may be used as a newsreader, interviewer or reporter in any news programmes unless, exceptionally, it is editorially justified.
'In that case, the political allegiance of that person must be made clear to the audience.'
According to his register of interests as an MP, Mr Lammy earns around £1,000 per LBC show, which he regularly presents for three hours on a Sunday.
In his most recent declaration, Mr Lammy registered a £5,460 payment for five LBC shows in January this year, which was said to relate to 22.5 hours work including preparation time.
Mr Lammy earned more than £55,000 for his LBC shows during 2023.
Ofcom's decision to probe Mr Lammy's show comes three weeks after the watchdog found episodes of GB News programmes presented by Tory MPs broke broadcasting rules by them acting as newsreaders.
The watchdog's investigation involved programmes that were presented by former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, as well as 'common sense' minister Esther McVey and backbencher Philip Davies
GB News was warned about potential sanctions if there are further breaches.
Married couple Ms McVey and Mr Davies are no longer part of the channel's line-up.
Ofcom's decision comes three weeks after it found episodes of GB News programmes presented by Tory MPs - including Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg - broke broadcasting rules
In its ruling last month, Ofcom said: 'All five programmes in question contained a mix of news and current affairs content.
'We found that host politicians acted as newsreaders, news interviewers or news reporters in sequences which clearly constituted news – including reporting breaking news events – without exceptional justification.
'News was, therefore, not presented with due impartiality.
'Politicians have an inherently partial role in society and news content presented by them is likely to be viewed by audiences in light of that perceived bias.
'In our view, the use of politicians to present the news risks undermining the integrity and credibility of regulated broadcast news.'
