Ofcom will not launch an investigation into an interview between Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and her husband Ed Balls live on TV.
In August, Balls – who is a regular presenter on ITV’s Good Morning Britain – questioned Cooper about the riots which were causing chaos across the UK.
A total of 8,201 complaints relating to the television segment were recorded.
Some of the grievances related to the couple’s interview, while others were about a conversation with MP Zarah Sultana.
The interview saw Balls – who is no longer a politician – challenge his wife on accusations of “two-tier policing”.
However, the media regulator has now confirmed that it will not conduct an investigation.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “Taking into account that their relationship was made clear twice, that a range of views about Labour’s handling of the riots were included in the programme as a whole, and given the vast majority of the interview was conducted by co-presenter, Kate Garraway, we will not be pursuing further.
“We have, however, issued guidance warning ITV to take particular care over the compliance of such interviews in future to ensure due impartiality is preserved given the clear potential issues that could arise from such an editorial decision.”
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In response to Ofcom’s decision not to investigate ITV, former Tory MP Jonathan Gullis said: “This is laughable. Ofcom have completely undermined themselves with this decision and inferred there is a two tier system for broadcasters.
“Does anyone think if this had happened on GB News that Ofcom wouldn’t have investigated?”
