Big Brother race investigators require court order to see uncut footage
- ️https://www.theguardian.com/profile/leighholmwood
- ️Mon Feb 05 2007
Police will have to get a court order if they want to view unseen footage from Celebrity Big Brother as part of their investigation into its race row, Channel 4 confirmed today.
Hertfordshire Police are currently investigating alleged racist comments made to Indian actress Shilpa Shetty during the month-long show.
It has been claimed Shetty was called a "paki" twice in unseen footage, although Channel 4 and the show's producer Endemol have denied this.
Police are currently interviewing housemates caught up in the row, with former beauty queen Danielle Lloyd confirming she spoke with officers last week.
It has been reported that Shetty has also been interviewed, while the Sun reported that Jo O'Meara would be spoken to today.
A Hertfordshire Police spokeswoman refused to confirm who had been interviewed, saying the force would not be commenting on any aspect of the investigation.
Channel 4 said that it was its policy not to hand over footage to police that was not in the public domain until a court ordered it.
A spokeswoman said: "We are in an ongoing dialogue with the police and have already provided them with access to many hours of broadcast programmes.
"The police have requested un-transmitted programme material. Channel 4's policy, consistent with that of all broadcasters, is to require the police to obtain a court order before such material is handed over.
"The police must satisfy a court that such material is of substantial value to their investigation and that disclosure is in the public interest."
A police source said officers had not yet formally asked Channel 4 for unseen footage.
"We are still in the process of interviewing the housemates and reviewing the tapes," the source said.
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