Channel 4 boss says she is 'deeply sorry’ over MAFS UK rape allegations
Topics: Married At First Sight, Married at First Sight UK, News, UK News, Channel 4
Rhianna Benson
Featured Image Credit: Gisela Schober/Getty Images
Topics: Married At First Sight, Married at First Sight UK, News, UK News, Channel 4
Warning: This article contains discussion of rape and sexual misconduct which some readers may find distressing.
The CEO of Channel 4 has issued an apology over sexual assault allegations made by Married At First Sight cast members.
Two women who appeared hit reality TV show, made by production company CPL and broadcast by Channel 4, shared rape claims with the BBC, with a third woman describing an allegation of a non-consensual sex act.
One woman, referred to by the pseudonym 'Lizzie', told the BBC she was raped and threatened with an acid attack. CPL says she described the sex as consensual, though rough, and reported the acid comment as a passing remark. The man denies rape and making violent threats.
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Another woman referred to as 'Chloe' claims her on-screen husband raped and groped her, and says she informed CPL and Channel 4 before the footage was aired. The man in question disputes parts of her account, saying the encounter began consensually and he stopped when he sensed she was no longer consenting.
He also denies groping her.
Contestant Shona Manderson said her on-screen husband, Bradley Skelly, ejaculated inside her without consent while they were using withdrawal as contraception.
The pair were removed from the show, and Shona later became pregnant and had an abortion.
Channel 4 previously said Shona described all sexual contact as consensual at the time, and CPL said that Skelley told producers he wore a condom, though his lawyers later admitted he had not. He denies all allegations of sexual misconduct.
A statement said: "Bradley Skelly says he understood Shona had consented that night. He categorically denies any allegations of sexual misconduct or that he was controlling. He says their relationship was based on mutual consent, care and affection".
When news of the allegations first broke on Monday (18 May) with the release of a BBC Panorama documentary, Priya Dogra previously declined to apologise to the brides who came forward, but claimed she had 'sympathy' for them.
Holding a press conference earlier today (20 May), however, Dogra revealed she'd since watched the documentary and expressed her sorrow over the alleged string of incidents.
"I have watched the programme, and heard the women's accounts, which are very troubling," she said. "Their distress is clear, and for that, I am of course deeply sorry."
She went on to claim that welfare across Channel 4 is 'hugely important', describing it as a 'primary concern'.
Dogra added, however, that her fellow directors aren't in a position to investigate the allegations made by the former castmates, emphasising: "We are a broadcaster, not an adjudicator."
"I do believe that our handling of concerns at the time was appropriate, but as I only took this role up recently, I wanted this looked at again," she said.
During questioning, Dogra was asked why Channel 4 had commissioned investigations after branding the allegations 'wholly uncorroborated'.
"Our job is to look at our actions, our job is to look at our protocols and how we applied them," she responded. "It is for other people to look into allegations that the women have made, our job is to look at allegations of a duty of care failure.
"That's the distinction between the two."