Channel 4 Privatisation Should Not Go Ahead, Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan Says

Boris Johnson’s privatisation of Channel 4 looks set for the chop after the new culture secretary cautioned against it in a leaked letter. 

Michelle Donelan has written to prime minister Rishi Sunak to recommend that the planned privatisation does not go ahead. 

The cabinet minister said there are “better ways to ensure Channel 4’s sustainability” than selling it off.

Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries sparked a furious backlash when she unveiled the sell-off plans in April 2022. 

HuffPost UK recently revealed that ministers had spent £2 million on the plans — even though they now look set to be abandoned.

A department of culture media and sport spokesperson said:  “We do not comment on speculation.

“The DCMS secretary of state has been clear that we are looking again at the business case for the sale of Channel 4.

“We will announce more on our plans in due course.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Follow HuffPost UK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.