Press Complaints Commission >> News >> Lembit Opik MP

Complainant Name:
Lembit Opik MP

Clauses Noted: 1

Publication: Sunday Express

Complaint:

Lembit Opik MP complained that an article had inaccurately claimed that he was involved in a reality television programme called “Killing the Cheeky Girls” despite his assurances – made to the television editor prior to the publication of the article – to the contrary.

Resolution:

The newspaper accepted that the article may have confused readers and published the apology below to the complainant. The newspaper also gave an undertaking that it would take more care in future articles about the complainant and offered to carry an article about him in a future edition. The complaint was resolved on this basis.

Clarification: Lembit Opik MP

In our article on 1 April 2007, “The death of reality TV?”, we reported on the making of a new “extreme reality show” in which the participants were duped into thinking that one of their party had murdered the Cheeky girls.

The article stated that the show would feature Lembit Opik MP, who is dating Cheeky Girl Gabriela. Mr Opik has asked us to make clear that he was not involved in the making of the programme and was not involved in the deception of the participants. We apologise to Mr Opik for any confusion.

Report: 75

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