UKIP reports Have I Got News For You to the police
UKIP has accused the satirical TV programme Have I Got News For You of being biased against them. The political party has reported the BBC show to police, claiming that comments made about Nigel Farage during last Friday's episode might hinder his chances of electoral success.
ITV News reports that it has learnt that UKIP officials complained about the episode of the satirical programme broadcast last Friday.
During the show, panellist Camilla Long - talking about an article she had written which criticised South Thanet, the constituency in Kent in which Farage is standing - said "I went there more than Nigel Farage. By the time I arrived there he'd only been a few times."
UKIP claims these comments were inaccurate and that the BBC breached the Representation of the People Act by broadcasting them.
Once an election has been called, it is law that television programmes must not show any bias towards a political party until the polls close. Ofcom rules confirm: "Due impartiality must be strictly maintained in a constituency report or discussion and in an electoral area report or discussion."
It used to be the case that comedy programmes were taken off air for fear of having the power to swing political opinion. For example, in 1979 the sketch show Not The Nine O'Clock News was considered 'too political' to broadcast. Nowadays comedy shows may continue to broadcast provided they don't favour one political party over another.
Responding to UKIP's complaint, a BBC spokesperson said: "Britain has a proud tradition of satire, and everyone knows that the contributors on Have I Got News For You regularly make jokes at the expense of politicians of all parties."
Kent Police has said it is not going to open an investigation. A spokesperson told ITV News: "The matter has been reviewed by officers but there's no evidence of any offences and there will be no further action."
UKIP are reportedly now planning to escalate their complaint to officers at Scotland Yard.
Speaking on LBC radio today, Nigel Farage said he has "complained like hell" at his treatment by the BBC.
He told presenter Nick Ferrari: "I believe they are guilty of blatant prejudice. I think they've been prejudicial on the European issue, prejudicial on the immigration issue. I think deep within their DNA, is a north London metropolitan mindset that just doesn't see what UKIP believes to be acceptable. I think it's as simple as that."
Farage added: "We have complained like hell. We've written a number of letters to them. We were less than impressed by the audience they produced for the Challengers' Debate, where there was an openly hostile audience. Time and again, we see the BBC treating us in a way that is really quite extraordinary... even through to a programme on Have I Got News For You last week where comments were made about an individual in a constituency, namely me, that I just don't think would have been said about any other candidate in the country."
Nigel Farage has been happy to be a guest on Have I Got News For You in the past, with his last appearance a year ago (pictured).
Have I Got News For You continues on Friday night at 9pm with Alexander Armstrong due to host. It is one of a number of comedy programmes focusing on the election. Others shows include talk show Jack Dee's Election Helpdesk, topical sitcom Ballot Monkeys, sketch show Newzoids, topical format The Last Leg and Radio 4's Dead Ringers and The Vote Now Show.
Also coming up on TV soon is Charlie Brooker's Election Wipe, Channel 4's Alternative Election Night and Dave's Election Night Special, the latter of which - broadcast as the polls close so not subject to the same laws - will focus on Al Murray attempts to take on Farage in South Thanet as a candidate for the FUKP party.