Misuse of private information claim against Channel 5

We successfully acted for our client, George Brown, a private individual, in his claim against Channel 5 for the misuse of his private information.

In January 2017, two High Court Enforcement Agents (HCEAs) attended our client’s home to enforce a debt owed by Mr Brown’s partner, Mr Alan Sartori. A film crew was in attendance and Mr Brown made it clear he did not wish for the film crew to enter his home and for either himself or Mr Sartori to be filmed. The film crew remained outside the property as requested.

However, the HCEAs wore bodycams and radio microphones which were used to record video and audio footage without consent. This footage was subsequently used in an episode of ‘Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!’ first broadcast by Channel 5 on 5 April 2017.

The episode which showed Mr Brown in a state of significant distress was subsequently broadcast to over 10 million people.

The broadcast of the programme caused considerable upset and distress to Mr Brown due to the grave misuse of his private information.

We secured a full and public apology from Channel 5 on behalf of Mr Brown made at a hearing in March 2023. Channel 5 also agreed to pay Mr Brown substantial damages, an undertaking not to further broadcast the episode in which he featured and to pay his reasonable legal costs.

 Lauren Twidale, Senior Associate, Media Disputes at Hamlins, said:

“The substantial sum in damages Channel 5 has agreed to pay to our client, George Brown, in settlement of his claim at the Royal Courts of Justice, reflects the severity of the infringement of his privacy. It has been a privilege to act for Mr Brown, to obtain justice in this case and to hold Channel 5 to account.”

Our client, George Brown said:

“The damage and harm that the Channel 5 programme, ‘Can’t Pay? We’ll Take It Away!’, has caused me is unimaginable. The programme appears to target vulnerable people and uses their unfortunate situations as a form of entertainment. It has been a huge weight on my shoulders which has continued to affect my life negatively. With the help of Christopher Hutchings, Lauren Twidale, and Meera Khunti at Hamlins, I have been able to put an end to the terrible ordeal this programme has put me through.”