JLC complain to Ofcom about 'The Lobby'

A second complaint about the undercover Al Jazeera TV investigation into alleged Israeli influence in British politics has been reported to the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom.

The Jewish Leadership Council has confirmed it has submitted a 17-page complaint following last month’s screening of the four-part  documentary, called The Lobby, alleging the programmes breached strict rules around fairness, privacy and impartiality.

A statement released on behalf of JLC chief executive Simon Johnson said: “The JLC has today, acting on behalf of its employees, and employees of its’ member organisations, filed a formal complaint with Ofcom in respect of the Al Jazeera programme “The Lobby”. The complaint alleges that the programmes on Al Jazeera infringed the Ofcom code in relation to fairness, privacy and due impartiality.”

The Lobby was aired in January and included film shot secretly of junior Israeli Embassy aide Shai Masot, who later resigned from his job. It also included covert footage of the Jewish Labour Movement and Labour Friends of Israel activities.

An earlier complaint about The Lobby was received by Ofcom last month.