MPs demand answers from Channel 4 over 'horrifying' Married at First Sight UK allegations

A group of MPs has written to Channel 4 to ask for answers about what they say are "horrifying" allegations relating to reality series Married at First Sight UK.

A recent investigation by BBC Panorama heard from two women who said they were raped by their on-screen husbands, and a third who alleged a non-consensual sex act.

The House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee has written to both Channel 4 and broadcast regulator Ofcom with questions about their actions and responses to the claims.

"The horrifying allegations about Married at First Sight raise serious concerns over whether enough is being done to protect people taking part in reality television," the committee's chairwoman Caroline Dinenage MP said.

"Both Channel 4 and Ofcom, as the broadcasting regulator, have urgent questions to answer."

The letter to Channel 4 asks the network about the complaints process for contestants on the programme, the steps taken to ensure the allegations were fully investigated, and the review announced by the broadcaster.

It also asks about Channel 4's approach to duty of care to participants on its other reality TV programmes.

The committee's letter to Ofcom, meanwhile, asks about the regulator's role in the complaints process, its powers to investigate potential breaches of the broadcasting code, and the timeline for launching its own investigation into the Married at First Sight allegations.

Channel 4 has commissioned an external review of welfare on the show "after being presented with serious allegations of wrongdoing".

The channel's chief executive Priya Dogra has said she believes the broadcaster "acted quickly, appropriately, sensitively and with well-being front and centre" when concerns were raised.

Lawyers for CPL, the independent production company that makes the UK version of the show, said its welfare system was "gold standard" and industry-leading, and that it acted appropriately in all these cases.

Married at First Sight UK - known to many as MAFS - sees single people agree to "marry" total strangers, after meeting for the first time at their mock weddings.

The marriages are not legally binding, but viewers see the couples go on "honeymoon", before moving in together and navigating their relationships - all while being filmed, almost every day.

On Tuesday, police urged potential victims of sexual assault on reality TV show Married At First Sight UK to get in touch.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the force was "aware of media reporting relating to allegations of rape and sexual assault" following the broadcast of Panorama on Monday.

"At this time, we have not received any criminal reports in relation to this matter.

"We will be making approaches to the relevant production teams to ensure that anyone they have spoken to is aware of how to report any criminal allegations to police."