C4 Livingstone doc cleared

Ken Livingstone

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Channel 4's controversial Dispatches investigation into Ken Livingstone has been cleared by Ofcom of allegations that it was biased.

The Court of Ken, which went out at on 22 January at 8pm, was fronted by The New Statesman political editor Martin Bright and investigated claims of electoral malpractice by special advisors and unprofessional conduct by Livingstone, then London mayor.

It prompted 12 complaints from viewers that it made unsubstantiated allegations against Livingstone and that it was not presented with due impartiality.

Ofcom did not consider the complaints about the former issue as it did not receive a complaint from Livingstone himself or someone acting for him.

It did consider whether the film was impartial, but ruled that the film had not broken its code.

The two main issues Ofcom looked into were the documentary's coverage of the congestion charge and the "oil for transport" deal with the Venezuelan government.

C4 said that the programme examined the issue of the congestion charge with due impartiality and that the former mayor's position was fairly reflected.

Ofcom also concluded that the Venezuelan "oil for transport" deal had been addressed with due impartiality and that the former mayor's reasons for entering into the deal were fairly reflected in the programme, together with the views of those opposed to it.

The watchdog also said that Martin Bright's personal interests were made clear at the start of the programming and that his role was primarily to present the findings of the Dispatches production team's investigation and not give his personal views about Livingstone and the office of mayor.