Lisa Nandy ‘not satisfied’ with Channel 4’s response after MAFS rape allegations

By Rhiannon James, Press Association Parliamentary Editor

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said she is “not satisfied” with Channel 4’s response to the UK government following allegations of rape and sexual assault made by women who appeared on Married At First Sight UK.

Participant Shona Manderson accused her on-screen partner of sexual misconduct while on the show, and two other anonymous women alleged they were raped by their on-screen husbands.

All three men deny the allegations.

The show, produced for Channel 4 by independent production company CPL, sees single people matched by experts “marry” strangers who they meet for the first time on their wedding day.

In the Commons, Nandy said: “I know members across this House will be horrified and disgusted at the serious allegations of abuse against women in the TV industry that have emerged recently.

“Everyone has the right to be safe and treated with dignity.

“My honourable friend has met with Channel 4 recently about the serious allegations that have emerged around Married At First Sight.

"We are not satisfied as a Government with the response that we have received, and I will be discussing this further with Channel 4 in the coming week.”

Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra said she was “deeply sorry”, after the allegations emerged in a BBC Panorama documentary.

“Welfare across all our programmes is hugely important to us, and is a primary concern,” she said.

All previous seasons of MAFS UK have been removed from Channel 4’s streaming platforms.

CPL also denied claims that contestants were pressured to have sex after former employee Soraya Spiers alleged the show had a “toxic” culture.

In a statement, the production company said: “Contributors are not pressured in any way or expected to be intimate.

“Contributors are clearly informed there is no expectation to share a bed and alternative solo sleeping arrangements have always been available throughout the process.”

Tui Group has ended its sponsorship with the UK show and its Australian spin-off, following the allegations.