UK Regulator Clarifies Rules on Politicians’ Media Roles as 2 Ex-Ministers Set to Host Talk Shows

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries on Oct. 15, 2021. Steve Parsons/PA Media

Britain’s broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has clarified the rules around politicians’ roles in TV and radio programmes, following the news that two former Cabinet ministers will front new talk shows while continuing to serve as MPs.

Nadine Dorries, who served as culture secretary in Boris Johnson’s Cabinet, is set to host a Friday night talk show for TalkTV. Her fellow Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, who served under both Johnson and Liz Truss, will front a regular programme for GB News.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, then the UK's Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy Secretary, attends the third day of the annual Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, on Oct. 4, 2022. Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images

Ofcom said on Thursday that questions have been asked about relevant rules after “several recent announcements of serving politicians being hired to present their own TV shows.”

The media watchdog acknowledged that the rules “can seem complicated” but said they are “incredibly important.”

It said politicians are allowed to present TV and radio shows, but there are “some exceptions.”

‘Due Impartiality’

In order to maintain the expected level of “due impartiality” in news programmes, Ofcom rules stipulate: “No politician may be used as a newsreader, interviewer, or reporter in any news programmes unless, exceptionally, it is editorially justified. In that case, the political allegiance of that person must be made clear to the audience.”

Where non-news content is concerned, Ofcom said: “Outside of news programmes, there is no Ofcom rule that prevents a serving politician or political candidate from hosting or appearing on a TV or radio show—provided they aren’t standing in an election taking place, or about to take place.

“This means that politicians are allowed to present current affairs programmes, such as audience phone-ins, but they must make sure a range of views are reflected in their programme.”

The rules differ during election and referendum periods, during which any political candidates “must not present any TV or radio programme,” including “programmes that have no discussion of politics or current affairs.”

Candidates and referendum representatives are, however, permitted to appear in, but not present, non-political programmes that were planned or scheduled prior to the election or referendum period.

New Roles

Dorries, a pro-Brexit Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire, will launch Friday Night With Nadine on Feb. 3 on TalkTV, joining a roster that also includes Piers Morgan, Jeremy Kyle, Vanessa Feltz, and Sharon Osbourne.

Announcing her new role last month, Dorries said: “As someone who’s never been afraid to speak their mind, I’m delighted to be joining the team at TalkTV for Friday Night with Nadine, where I’ll be putting my 23-year political career and experiences at the despatch box to good use.”

Rees-Mogg, another Brexiteer, is joining GB News to host his own show.

His show will “debate the hot topics of the day” and feature guests from “across the political spectrum,” according to the broadcaster.

Rees-Mogg will also take his show on tour, broadcasting in front of live audiences in towns and cities across the country.

The Tory MP said: “GB News is a bastion of free speech which clearly has its finger uniquely on the pulse of public opinion and does not talk down to its viewers and listeners.

“I have been impressed by the channel’s independent-mindedness and its determination to talk to people with many different perspectives, which is exactly what I will do on my programme.”

Alleged Rule-Breaking

But Dorries was accused by Parliament’s anti-corruption watchdog of breaking government rules by not consulting the body before accepting the hosting role.

Lord Pickles, chair of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), said in a letter to Dorries: “Failing to seek and await advice before the role was announced or taken up in this case is a breach of the government’s rules and the requirements set out in the ministerial code.”

He said that “the risks under the rules in these types of appointments are usually limited.”

“Had you approached Acoba in good time before agreeing to the 26-week contract or publicising the role in the media it would have allowed us to advise you appropriately in advance,” he added.

In a separate letter to Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden, Lord Pickles recommended that “given the transparent nature” of the role, it would be “disproportionate to take any further action in this case.”

The main opposition Labour Party said this showed that the Conservatives “think the rules don’t apply to them.”

Party chair Anneliese Dodds said: “It’s no surprise that [Prime Minister] Rishi Sunak’s MPs are looking for new jobs, but the least we could expect is for former ministers to follow the guidance around appointments. Rishi Sunak has been too weak to deal with his MPs and ministers so far. Is he strong enough to take action against Nadine Dorries?”

PA Media contributed to this report.