MPs' 'stitch-up' moans rejected

Two Labour MPs who complained they were stitched up by Brass Eye have only got themselves to blame, TV watchdogs have ruled.

Syd Rapson and Barbara Follett were made to look foolish when Chris Morris duped them into giving warnings against paedophiles able to make computers emit a toxic gas, T-shirts that can disguise paedophiles as children and trousers designed to hide erections.

They complained to the Broadcasting Standards Commission that they suffered unfair treatment and an infringement of privacy - but were dismissed.

Commissioners said the politicians could have avoided ridicule if they had made basic checks and that Brass Eye had a public interest justification in exposing those who spouted opinions on topics they did not understand.

Tim Gardam, Channel 4's director of programmes, said: "Today's ruling further vindicates Channel 4's decision to make and transmit Brass Eye, one of the most thought- provoking programmes of the year."

Published: 21 Dec 2001