A COMPLAINT by Shipley MP Philip Davies about comments made about him during a TV comedy programme has been rejected by the BBC Trust.

Mr Davies complained that comments made about him during episodes of Russell Howard's Good News programme on November 12 and December 3 last year were "inaccurate and defamatory".

Mr Howard described the MP as a "toad-faced hypocrite", and also used various swear words to describe him, in relation to a newspaper article that said Mr Davies had "blocked a proposed law to introduce free hospital parking for carers by speaking in the House of Commons for 93 minutes in order to use up the time allocated for the debate".

In rejecting Mr Davies' complaint, the Trust said: "The Committee agreed that the nature of this long-standing programme was very clear to the audience.

"It was topical satire and the audience expected comment which at its best would be biting and bruising to the target. Those in the public eye, such as politicians, could expect robust criticism."

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