UKIP complains over Have I Got News For You comments
30 April 2015
From the section Entertainment & Arts
Nigel Farage is standing as a candidate in Thanet South
UKIP has complained to the police over comments about leader Nigel Farage on an episode of BBC One’s topical quiz Have I Got News For You.
On Friday’s show, journalist Camilla Long made claims about how often Mr Farage had visited Thanet South, where he is standing for election.
UKIP said that broke a law that bans false statements about candidates.
The BBC said the show often made jokes at the expense of politicians. Kent Police said it would not take action.
Camilla Long had visited the constituency for an article published in the Sunday Times last month.
Camilla Long is a columnist for the Sunday Times
UKIP advisor Raheem Kassam said: “Camilla Long made false statements about a candidate at this election.
“The BBC chose to air it. If this isn’t a breach of Section 106 of the Representation of People Act then we don’t know what is.”
The law says it is illegal to make a “false statement of fact in relation to the candidate’s personal character or conduct” before or during an election.
‘No evidence’
However, Kent Police said: “It was suggested that the comments breached the Representation of the People Act.
“The matter has been reviewed by officers but there’s no evidence of any offences and there will be …read more
Source:: BBC Entertainment
