A radio show hosted by shadow foreign secretary David Lammy is being investigated by Ofcom after it received more than 50 complaints.

The broadcasting watchdog said it was looking into whether the programme that aired on LBC on Good Friday “broke our rules on politicians acting as news presenters”.

The Labour frontbencher has hosted a Sunday morning show on the station since 2022 after a number of appearances covering for other presenters, and regularly stands in on Bank Holidays.

Politics live:
Legal advice on Israel arms sales ‘will not be published’

The MPs’ register of financial interests shows Mr Lammy earns around £1,000 per episode, with his latest entry seeing him paid £5,460 for five shows in January.

And alongside a number of other speaking commitments, he is often cited as the highest-paid Labour MP for his work outside of parliament.

Ofcom confirmed on its website that 51 complaints had been made about the specific show on 29 March.

During the broadcast, Mr Lammy broke the news that DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson had resigned as head of the party after he was charged with historical sexual offences – charges he is understood to be “strenuously contesting”.

However, Ofcom has yet to confirm this is the reason for the complaints or investigation.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

A growing number of politicians have begun to host their own TV and radio shows in recent years, with the likes of Labour’s Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting appearing on LBC, and Reform MP Lee Anderson becoming a weekly fixture on GB News.

In March, Ofcom found five programmes on that channel – two hosted by ex-business secretary and Tory MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, and three jointly hosted by Tory minister Esther McVey and backbencher Philip Davies – had breached its impartiality rules.

Under the Broadcasting Code, the watchdog says news must be presented with due impartiality and “a politician cannot be a newsreader, news interviewer or news reporter unless, exceptionally, there is editorial justification”.

GB News has now been put on notice that it could face a statuary sanction if it breaches the rules again, which could involve a financial penalty or having its licence suspended or revoked.

Sky News has contacted the Labour Party and Mr Lammy for comment.

Related posts:

London Bridge terrorist lawfully killed by police, inquest jury finds German security staff ‘may camp on beach’ after COVID outbreak shuts G7 hotel Radio ‘giant’ Jonathan ‘Jono’ Coleman dies aged 65 Queen sends good luck message to England team – and recalls memories of 1966 World Cup win Will Southgate bring it home? Who should start? Final predictions ahead of Euro 2020 final Man guilty of murdering schoolgirl at family’s Chinese takeaway in Wales UK announces rise in COVID deaths and cases as latest 24-hour figures revealed ‘Surreal’: Charles delights Prince’s Trust members by icing cupcakes during visit with pop star Cheryl British police help save woman in danger more than 3,000 miles away BBC apologises and pays Diana’s private secretary ‘substantial sum’ over way Bashir obtained 1995 interview ‘Burn in hell’: Paedophile who blackmailed girls as young as 12 into becoming ‘sex slaves’ jailed Spectacular photos capture Northern Lights across the UK