TV presenter Phillip Schofield disciplined for handing alleged paedophile list to PM

Published on 16/11/2012 00:35

THIS Morning presenter Phillip Schofield has been disciplined following an investigation by ITV into the handing of an alleged paedophile list to Prime Minister David Cameron live on the show.

ITV said it has taken “appropriate disciplinary action” over the incident after the names on the note were briefly exposed to TV cameras.

TV regulator Ofcom received around 100 complaints about the incident and is considering whether to launch an investigation.

The presenter has since issued and apology.

After being handed the list, which Schofield assembled after trawling the internet for three minutes, the Prime Minister warned that online discussions of an alleged paedophile ring could degenerate into a “witch-hunt” against people who are gay.

ITV apologised on the next day’s show and emphasised it was not pointing the finger at anyone in particular.

Conservative John Whittingdale, chairman of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has written to Peter Fincham, director of television at ITV, calling for information about who was involved in the decision to hand the list of names to the Prime Minister.

He wrote: “As you are aware, during the interview, Mr Schofield presented the Prime Minister with a list of names of individuals alleged to have been involved in paedophilia which it had taken him “about three minutes” to obtain from the internet.

“I understand that Mr Schofield has apologised for the fact that some of the names might have been visible and that Ofcom is also considering a complaint about this matter.

“However, there has been widespread concern expressed about the decision itself to confront the Prime Minister with such a list.

“I would therefore be grateful if you could say whether or not it is the view of ITV that this represented responsible journalism in the public interest.

“I would also like to know at what level the decision was taken and what legal advice was sought.”