Scarborough And Whitby MP Urges Channel 4 To Investigate Reality Show Safeguarding

Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume is among a group of politicians demanding Channel 4 fully cooperates with police regarding serious sexual assault allegations on Married At First Sight UK.

The Member of Parliament for Scarborough and Whitby is urging Channel 4 to fully cooperate with police investigations following serious allegations of rape and sexual assault on the reality television programme Married At First Sight UK.

Alison Hume has co-signed a letter to the broadcaster’s chief executive alongside two other North Yorkshire MPs. The politicians stated in their correspondence that the latest concerns surrounding the show do not exist in isolation.

The demands come after a recent BBC Panorama documentary detailed accusations from contestants about their experiences on the series. The programme sees single people, who are matched by relationship experts, marry strangers they meet for the very first time on their wedding day.

During the documentary, contestant Shona Manderson accused her on-screen partner, Bradley Skelly, of sexual misconduct. Two other anonymous women alleged they were raped by their on-screen husbands. All the men involved categorically deny the claims.

Mr Skelly told the documentary that he categorically denies any allegations of sexual misconduct, or that he was controlling.

Ms Hume, who is an award-winning screenwriter as well as the representative for Scarborough and Whitby, expressed her deep concern over the situation.

Alison Hume said:

"Like so many of you, I was deeply troubled to learn of the allegations of serious sexual crimes connected to the Married at First Sight television series.

That’s why I signed this letter, together with a number of other MPs, calling for Channel 4 to commission an independent review into safeguarding, participant welfare, editorial oversight and duty of care standards while also pledging to cooperate fully with all police investigations.

There have been a number of troubling cases involving reality television over the past few years and we must ensure that commercial pressures and audience ratings are never, ever, prioritised over basic safeguarding."

Channel 4’s recently appointed Chief Executive, Priya Dogra, instructed an external review of contributor welfare on the programme last month.

The review consists of two elements. The first is being conducted by the law firm Clyde & Co, which is examining the welfare protocols in place on the programme at the time the claims were raised, alongside how Channel 4 and the production company handled those claims.

Alongside the lawyer-led review, the broadcaster has commissioned an external industry expert to examine whether any changes should be made to current protocols to further strengthen contributor welfare. Channel 4 expects the review to report in the coming months and has promised to share a summary of findings and recommendations at the appropriate time.

Priya Dogra said:

"I want to express my sympathy to contributors who have clearly been distressed after taking part in Married at First Sight UK. The wellbeing of our contributors is always of paramount importance.

It would be wholly inappropriate for me to comment on what are very serious allegations made against some MAFS UK contributors. Those allegations – which I understand are disputed by the contributors accused – are not something that Channel 4 is in a position to adjudicate on. We are also mindful of our ongoing duty of care to all contributors, and the need to preserve the anonymity and privacy of all involved."

The Chair of the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee has also spoken out on the issue, warning that regulators need to intervene.

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP said:

"The horrifying allegations about Married at First Sight raise serious concerns over whether enough is being done to protect people taking part in reality television. Both Channel 4 and Ofcom, as the broadcasting regulator, have urgent questions to answer."

Following the broadcast of the allegations, the broadcasting regulator Ofcom confirmed its own position on the matter.

An Ofcom spokesperson said:

"[We have] launched an external review into contributor care on MAFS UK and we await its findings."