2 weeks ago
Channel 4 has launched an investigation aft 2 women alleged that they were raped by partners they met connected deed reality bid Married astatine First Sight UK (MAFS).
The allegations, which are group to aerial arsenic portion of a BBC Panorama documentary connected Monday evening, besides see a 3rd woman, who claimed she knowledgeable a non-consensual activity act. The 3 men accused of wrongdoing denied nan accusations, while Channel 4 and shaper CPL Productions said use protocols were followed.
According to a just-published BBC News article, 1 of nan women alleged that her onscreen hubby raped her and threatened her pinch an acerb attack. The 2nd female said she told Channel 4 and CPL that she was raped by her onscreen hubby and her section still aired.
Channel 4 told BBC News nan allegations were “wholly uncorroborated and disputed,” but nan web has besides launched an investigation and removed each MAFS episodes from its streaming service. Lawyers for CPL Productions told BBC News they disputed elements of nan claims.
Channel 4 CEO Priya Dogra said it commissioned an outer reappraisal successful April. This came aft Channel 4 was “presented pinch superior allegations of wrongdoing against a mini number of past contributors” and was initially asked to probe internally, which recovered that “when concerns related to contributor use were raised done existing use and accumulation protocols, punctual and due action was taken, based connected nan accusation disposable astatine nan time.” “Channel 4 powerfully refutes immoderate declare to nan contrary,” nan web added.
The outer reappraisal has 2 elements, Channel 4 said. One, being overseen by rule patient Clyde & Co, is “examining nan use protocols successful spot connected this programme astatine nan clip claims were raised, arsenic good arsenic nan handling by Channel 4 and CPL of those claims.” The different is being led by erstwhile BBC One Controller Lorraine Heggessey, who is probing whether “any changes should beryllium made to existent protocols for MAFS UK to further fortify contributor welfare.”
Channel 4 said it expects nan reappraisal to study successful nan coming months and will stock a summary of findings and recommendations “at nan due time.” It is astatine slightest nan 3rd outer reappraisal it has launched this decade, pursuing 1 into nan termination of existent crime shaper John Balson and different into nan behaviour of Escape to nan Chateau hosts Dick and Angel Strawbridge. The Balson reappraisal found that Channel 4 had acted “reasonably and appropriately” pinch its work of attraction earlier nan shaper took his ain life. Channel 4 cut ties pinch nan Strawbridges aft nan review.
While noting “it would beryllium wholly inappropriate for maine to remark connected what are very serious allegations made against immoderate MAFS UK contributors,” Dogra said she believes Channel 4 “acted quickly, appropriately, sensitively and pinch wellbeing beforehand and centre” erstwhile “concerns astir contributor use were raised.”
“Nevertheless, because we aspire to nan highest standards of contributor welfare, I felt powerfully arsenic Channel 4’s caller CEO that it was correct that we look again astatine really we handled issues raised astatine nan clip and inquire whether changes should beryllium made to further fortify contributor welfare,” she added. “We return these issues very earnestly and are committed to ensuring that we proceed to lead nan manufacture successful our work of care for contributors.”
Married astatine First Sight UK is 1 of Channel 4’s biggest hits and has been airing for much than a decade. As of now, each episodes person been removed from Channel 4’s VoD player. The show airs successful aggregate territories astir nan world, including successful nan U.S. connected Peacock.
CPL Productions declined to remark beyond pointing to Channel 4’s statement.
