The United Kingdom’s communications regulator has launched an investigation into complaints that Comcast-owned Sky News — operated by the brother of former Barack Obama advisor Ben Rhodes — harassed Nigel Farage’s daughter by doorstepping her home in early July.
Ofcom confirmed on Thursday it would investigate after Reform UK submitted a complaint alleging the actions constituted harassment. The incident occurred while Farage was abroad, and Reform UK has demanded an apology and correction from the broadcaster.
In its statement, Ofcom indicated it had “entertained a complaint from Reform UK, made on behalf of Mr Nigel Farage, of unjust or unfair treatment in the programme as broadcast” and also “a complaint about unwarranted infringement of Mr Farage’s privacy regarding the programme as broadcast.”
The incident was linked to a Sky News report examining a parliamentary probe into Reform leader Farage’s finances.
In response to the allegations, Farage stated: “You tell your bosses, you harass my family any more and there will be serious consequences… That is what your organization has done this morning… You have broken all the rules, Leveson and everything else.”
The regulatory action follows a week after Farage regained his parliamentary seat following a by-election victory in Clacton, which was triggered by his resignation from Parliament to allow voters to decide whether he remains fit to represent the constituency.
