Channel 4 pulls ‘cash for Brexit’ show after senior Tory complains

‘This tawdry attempt at entrapment says far more about the scruples of those doing it than their victim’

PETER LILLEY is to report Channel 4 to Ofcom for a “tawdry attempt at entrapment” amid reports the broadcaster has pulled a show allegedly showing top Tories profiting from Brexit.

Mr Lilley, a Cabinet minister in John Major’s government, is complaining to the TV regulator over “entrapment” and the refusal to give him a transcript.

The documentary was due to be broadcast tonight, following a threemonth investigation with the Sunday Times into how former ministers allegedly offered themselves to private companies as advisers on Brexit.

However, Dispatches, which is currently advertising for a commissioning editor, was pulled at the eleventh hour.

A spokesman said: “This investigation raises important questions about transparency and accountability in public life. We continue to work on the film, which will be broadcast soon.”

According to the Mail on Sunday, three former Tory ministers were invited in an email to a Mayfair office to meet “Fei Liu”, who purportedly represented Chinese investors.

They were offered a “highly attractive remuneration package” and a trip to Hong Kong in return for helping “navigate the shifting political, regulatory and legislative frameworks in the UK and across Europe after Brexit”.

Those targeted included Andrew Mitchell, a chief whip in David Cameron’s government, Andrew Lansley, who was a health secretary about the same time, and Mr Lilley, who said he had also complained to Charles Gurassa, Channel 4’s chairman, and Alex Mahon, its chief executive.

He said: “This tawdry attempt at entrapment of a former minister two decades after he last held office says far more about the ethics and scruples of those doing it than of their intended victim. They should have abandoned it when it became clear I would not do anything improper.”

Adding that money was not of interest, he added: “I refused to lobby ministers and contact civil servants. I did not accept any job, let alone agree a fee.”

Mr Mitchell said he “smelled a rat” as soon as he was offered far more than his daily rate. He said: “This was an unsuccessful attempt at entrapment by journalists.” He added: “I have always believed that a cynical and disrespectful media is indispensable to maintaining a free society. Powerful people and elites don’t stay on the straight and narrow because they see the light but because they feel the heat.”

Lord Lansley is thought to have been undergoing treatment for cancer at the time of the sting. His spokesman said he at no time offered any insider information, privileged access or services.

The spokesman for Disptaches added: “We stand by this investigation, which was carried out in accordance with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.”