Channel 4 to hand over controversial ‘Dispatches’

Dispatches episode recalled by policeChannel 4 has been ordered to hand over unbroadcast footage from its documentary ‘Dispatches: Britain Under Attack’ to the Metropolitan Police.

Initially the broadcaster had refused to voluntarily hand over the footage and research materials unless a court order was obtained.

The controversial documentary, broadcast on 6th August, included an interview with the radical Muslim, Abu Mohammed, who expressed support for terrorism and the July 2005 attacks on London.

“The police confirmed in court that the subject of their investigation is the radical cleric Abu Mohammed – not Channel 4,” a Channel 4 spokeswoman said.

“The order has been limited to the untransmitted footage – the police satisfied the court that this would be of substantial value to their investigation and that disclosure is in the public interest. Channel 4 will comply with the terms of the order.”

The case is separate to an investigation into another Dispatches programme, Undercover Mosque, which investigated Islamist extremism at British mosques in January.

Article from MediaGuardian