Channel 4 was forced to pull hit show Gogglebox last night over fears it had prejudiced Alex Salmond’s attempted rape trial.
Producers scrambled to remove the episode from schedules after an initial broadcast watched by millions of people on Friday night included discussion of the former First Minister’s character.
In what appeared to be a clear case of contempt of court, members of the show’s Siddiqui family made comments that could have impacted on Salmond’s ability to
His legal team and the Scottish Crown Office were made aware of the potentially disastrous legal blunder yesterday.
The show was supposed to be shown again last night unedited, with viewers also able to stream it online. But Channel 4 said: “We are looking into this and have taken the episode from the schedule in the meantime.”
Last night, the programme had also been removed from the All 4 online streaming service.
It is unclear whether the channel will cut the offending section and reintroduce it or pull the entire episode indefinitely.
Salmond, 64, has appeared in court charged with a series of sex offences against 10 women.
He faced a total of 14 charges at the High Court in Edinburgh, all of which he denies.
The allegations include one attempted rape, one intent to rape, 10 sexual assaults and two indecent assaults, all of which are alleged to have happened between June 2008 and November 2014.
Judge Lady Dorrian has set the trial date for March 9 next year.
It means there are strict controls over material that can be printed or broadcast about the ex-MP and MSP.
Many viewers pointed out the apparent error on Channel 4’s part on social media.
One said: “Absolutely astonished the Gogglebox producers allowed clip.”
Another added: “That’s likely to prevent a fair trial.”
Gogglebox is one of Channel 4’s most popular reality shows. It involves real families gathered around their TVs watching and commenting on shows.
In the clip in question, the Siddiquis – dad Sid and his two sons Baasit and Umar, from Derby – have been watching Nicola Sturgeon in a leaders’ debate.
They then go on to discuss the First Minister’s predecessor in terms that the Sunday Mail is legally obliged not to repeat.
The Crown Office said: "Contempt of Court is a matter which may be brought to the court’s attention by any party involved in the proceedings.
“In all cases where the Crown becomes aware of issues of potential contempt, these will be considered carefully and action will be taken if considered appropriate.”
The charges against Salmond include an allegation that he stripped a woman before attempting to rape her on a bed at his official residence while he served as First Minister.
It was also alleged he intended to rape a second woman by lying on top of her, struggling with her, repeatedly kissing and groping her and pulling up her dress.
In a separate case, the Conservative Party has made an official complaint against Channel 4 after it replaced Boris Johnson with an ice sculpture during a leaders’ debate on climate change last week.
Two sculptures melted under studio lights on top of lecterns where Johnson and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage would have been standing if they had agreed to take part.
