A Channel 4 researcher Jenny Williams (photo from Facebook) - working for the Dispatches programme - attempted to infiltrate one of the Conservative Party's donor clubs, Team 2000. As CCHQ carried out compliance checks they became increasingly suspicious of her true identity and eventually rumbled her. Last year the Mirror's attempt to infiltrate the Party Chairman's office was also thwarted.
A Conservative Party spokesman issued this statement:
“This was irresponsible and deceptive. Compliance by all major political parties with the laws of political party funding is a fundamental requirement in promoting confidence in the democratic process. The Electoral Commission, not an undercover journalist, properly regulates this compliance and the Conservative Party takes its responsibilities and obligations to the Electoral Commission very seriously. It is not acceptable is for journalists to masquerade as a member of the Conservative Party - or any Party for that matter - in a covert, self-appointed role to “check” compliance procedures. It is of particular concern that as part of this subterfuge, Channel 4 deliberately obscured the source of Party donations so we were misled into believing it was Miss Williams who made the donations, when it was not. This meant that we were not able accurately to account for her donations. Such behaviour by Channel 4 in this case undermines the proper working of a political party, and its accounting regime.”
Our key question: Did Channel 4 also attempt the same infiltration of Labour?
Did Channel 4 also attempt the same infiltration of Labour?
Err, maybe they did, maybe they didn't. Not much to do with journalistic values either way.
As I recall C4 did a (pretty awful) infiltration thing to Labour in the 2005 election but not one on the Tories.
What is there to hide in any case?
Posted by: Dave let me have your babies | October 04, 2008 at 20:09
I think there are no depths to which certain journos will not sink in order to infiltrate and dig for dirt! Well done CCHQ for foiling this woman and it will pay to keep on the alert!
Posted by: Sally Roberts | October 04, 2008 at 20:11
And it would appear that Ms Williams is no longer on Facebook - probably very wise in the circumstances!
Posted by: Sally Roberts | October 04, 2008 at 20:22
Another fine use of taxpayers' money by Channel 4...
Posted by: Donal Blaney | October 04, 2008 at 20:40
"I write to confirm that the donation of the sum of £334 made in two
payments on the 4th August 2008, and the 1st September 2008 were made by
me but the true donor was Channel Four Television."
On the basis of this statement from her, why is the COnservative party not making a complaint to the police?
Posted by: s odze | October 04, 2008 at 20:47
What do you expect from a television channel that supports Labour in return for taxpayer handouts. Don't believe me? Who gave C4 £55million after they complained to the government that they had 'no cash to go digital'? The incorruptible Media and Culture Sec. Tessa Jowell, who was such a good judge of character as to marry David Mills, money launderer of Berlusconi and tax fraud mastermind. C4 news and current affairs make the BBC look impartial... Hmm. Oh ha ha ha.
Posted by: Oberon Houston | October 04, 2008 at 20:47
hey if you have nothing to hide why not just invite journalists to attend???
Posted by: Freddie Fencepost | October 04, 2008 at 21:11
CAMBELL!!
Posted by: M Dowding | October 04, 2008 at 21:12
I don't know what she hoped to discover other than invitations to drinks parties and receptions at conference! C4- desperately stupid as well as criminal.
Posted by: Team2000member | October 04, 2008 at 21:23
Three things spring to mind:
1. The "journalist" is a muppet. Who would seriously arrange their holidays around Tory fund-raising events?
2. Despite her attempted deception, I hope CCHQ took legal advice before releasing her personal details into the public domain. It's something I wouldn't have done.
3. Shed loads of typos in the CCHQ document. Was it intended for public release?
Posted by: Mark Fulford | October 04, 2008 at 21:25
Is this a genuine CCHQ document? What is it supposed to be? A press release? The pdf file looks very dubious given that it isn't dated, doesn't have a reference number, address or contact details for the press officer. It does, however, disclose some very private personal data including home addresses and a bank account number. Disclosing these details on a document published on the internet is highly irresponsible, regardless of the allegations against Ms Williams.
Posted by: Paul, Southampton | October 04, 2008 at 21:36
I'm not sure why this is such an issue.
If Channel 4 want to donate to the Conservative party that is fine.
Team 2000 is not something that needs hiding away. By publishing personal/bank details of the journalist we are building this into a negative story for us.
Posted by: will.b | October 04, 2008 at 21:45
As a precaution I've removed the PDF.
Posted by: Tim Montgomerie | October 04, 2008 at 22:33
Great.
The taxpayers give millions to the Labour Party in the form of sympathetic coverage.
So a couple of quid from the taxpayer to the Tories should only be welcomed
Posted by: Richard P | October 04, 2008 at 22:38
Thank you Tim. I was extremely concerned about it.
Posted by: rma | October 04, 2008 at 22:42
Tim.
They will be everywhere!
Posted by: M Dowding | October 04, 2008 at 23:40
Sion Simon now even more in the trough. You know, I think I'm going to give in. Absolutely nothing from the Party hierarchy. I despair that we are so bloody weak. DC, being a nice guy just isn't enough. Did you see the most unbelieveble comment on Guido from Draper's lot. How on earth are we poor foot soldiers meant to cope? Are, yes. Just like the poor but honest remaining real working class fighters. Stuff you silly unimportant activists. I am so close to quitting. Give me a reason to stay. Whoops, little man, don't need you.
Posted by: M Dowding | October 05, 2008 at 00:10
Does anyone watch dispatches anymore anyway? I've seen a few recently and they are all unbelievably biased towards whoever is trying to make a story out of nothing that week that it can even put me off believing what I know to be true.
No, they wouldn't be infiltrating labour as there is no story there - everyone who would be influenced by media knows them to be corrupt already... no-one cares about them anymore.
The remaining who vote labour are die-hard labour fans, or those that know nothing of politics but don't want to be 'nasty'(they believe the lies) and so wouldn't be watching political programmes anyway.
Posted by: Norm Brainer | October 05, 2008 at 01:36
Channel4 does not need to infiltrate Labour.
As with the BBC they are Labour.
Posted by: jon dee | October 05, 2008 at 18:21
It’s all very well to be angry at a TV journalist posing as a Conservative, but shouldn’t we be equally angary at a Conservative posing as a TV journalist!
“Tories faced claims of a ‘dirty tricks’ campaign last night after an MP’s daughter posed as a journalist to question his opponents. Xanthe Steen, daughter of Anthony Steen, sparked anger with her appearance at a Totnes factory during Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy’s visit. She had already interviewed Labour candidate Tom Wildy when Mr Kennedy arrived. But any plans to ambush the Lib Dem leader were thwarted by his youthful Press secretary Daisy Sampson - a former schoolmate of Xanthe. Miss Steen had told reporters she was covering the visit for a satellite channel called Now”
Posted by: Finn | October 05, 2008 at 21:15
Finn if that story is true then Miss Steen has been extremely foolish and unhelpful but I doubt whether in the long run - unless repeated - it will have had much impact!
Anthony Steen is a rather strange man and I suspect he and his family are not exactly in touch with the real world!
Posted by: Sally Roberts | October 06, 2008 at 10:04