MP tables Commons motion against Hungry

An MP has tabled a House of Commons motion calling on Channel 4 to drop its planned comedy set during the Irish famine.

Manchester Liberal Democrat MP John Leech put forward an early-day motion saying the broadcaster’s plans were ‘insensitive and potentially highly offensive.’

Channel 4 is developing the script called Hungry with Dublin writer Hugh Travers, who described it as ‘Shameless set in famine Ireland.’ However there is no certainty this early interest will lead to a programme.

Leech joined the protest ageing the show by tabling the Commons motion: ‘That this House notes that the Great Irish Famine resulted in the deaths of one million people and the emigration of up to two million more, reducing Ireland's population by a quarter; recognises that these events have had an indelible impact upon Ireland, with the country's population still lower today than in 1845; further notes that Channel 4 is planning to create a comedy series called Hungry, about the Great Irish Famine; further notes with concern that the intended tone of this sitcom is to be similar to the Shameless comedy series, set in Ireland during the famine; believes that a tragedy of this magnitude represents inappropriate subject matter for such a sitcom; and calls on Channel 4 to reconsider its decision to produce this insensitive and potentially highly offensive comedy programme.’

Early Day Motions have little chance of being debated; and exist primarily to allow MPs to raise issues.

His motion also attracted little support, with a rather eclectic collection of just three fellow MPs putting their name to it. They are left-wing Labour MP Jeremy Corbin, known for his repeated defiance of the party whip; Mike Hancock who was kicked out of the Liberal Democrats after he admitted he ‘crossed the line’ into inappropriate behaviour; and Plaid Cymru’s Westminster parliamentary group leader, Elfyn Llwyd.

In the wake of the murderous attacks on the offices of Charlie Hebdo, Leech was among those defending the right to free speech.

He posed with a ‘Je Suis Charlie’ banner as he tweeted the message: ‘Free speech and democracy should never be undervalued. Today Manchester stands together with Paris.’

Published: 8 Feb 2015