Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Watchdog rejects Ashcroft complaint

Vicky Shaw
Tuesday 22 June 2010 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A complaint that the Today programme treated Lord Ashcroft unfairly was rejected yesterday by the broadcasting watchdog.

Lawyers Harbottle and Lewis complained to Ofcom about an edition of the BBC Radio 4 show on 17 December last year. They felt the programme had wrongly and unfairly stated that during Prime Minister's Questions the Liberal Democrats had accused Lord Ashcroft, the Tory party deputy chairman, of tax evasion and therefore implied he was guilty of a criminal offence.

But Ofcom found the report was a "fair reflection" of the discussion which made clear that while the Liberal Democrats had initially raised a question about tax evasion, they had not accused Lord Ashcroft of committing the offence.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in