Channel 4 takes libel action against police over Undercover Mosque

Channel 4 and Hardcash productions are to pursue a libel claim against the police and the Crown Prosecution Service over the inquiry into the Undercover Mosque documentary, reports Broadcast.

The film, which was first broadcast on 16 January this year, had revealed extremist elements within top British mosques.

Police, who initially investigated those teaching at the Mosques and requested the production team’s rushes, then turned around and accused Channel 4 and Hardcash of “splicing” speeches to misrepresent a series of Muslim speakers and said they were investigating the programme for inciting racial hatred.

The matter was referred to broadcasting regulator Ofcom after the Crown Prosecution Service was a prosecution was “unlikely”. Ofcom vindicated the programme from any breaches of its code.

Now, in a statement C4 said it was pursuing a libel claim: “”The statements made by both the West Midlands Police and the CPS were completely unfounded and seriously damaging to the reputation of the programme makers.

“We fully support this libel action as we feel that it is the only way to vindicate their reputations and to prove this was a responsible piece of public interest journalism.

“These unfounded allegations brought into question Channel 4’s standards of investigative journalism and a vindication for the programme team will be a vindication for Dispatches.”