Reform UK is complaining to Ofcom and engaging lawyers about an ITV investigation produced by Hardcash Productions. That's the same production company behind major investigations such as Undercover Mosque, Saudi Arabia Uncovered, Undercover in Britain's New Far Right, Russell Brand: In Plain Sight, and Fearless: The Women Fighting Putin, the latter winning a BAFTA. Hardcash has also won multiple Emmys, BAFTAs, Peabody Awards and Royal Television Society awards for its investigative journalism. Of course, if Reform believes broadcasting rules have been broken, it's entitled to make a complaint and Ofcom can decide the facts. But it's worth remembering that these allegations are being made against one of Britain's most established investigative production companies, with a long track record of award-winning public interest journalism. Meanwhile, Reform itself has spent much of the past year facing scrutiny over its funding and donation arrangements, including allegations arising from undercover investigations and ongoing inquiries. Reform denies wrongdoing, but the contrast is striking: a multi-award-winning investigative producer accused by a political party that has itself been repeatedly forced to answer questions about its finances and donors. Complaining to Ofcom is easy. Discrediting the credibility of a production company with a record of BAFTAs, Emmys and some of the biggest investigative scoops in British television is rather harder. I for one can't wait to see it, and I'm sure the timing of its release will be perfect.

I know RAF Fairford is newsworthy because five British nationals suspected of terrorist offences have been arrested and then bailed, with the PM hinting at possible Iranian involvement. Today a dual Iranian–British national became the sixth arrest. Now imagine, in another scenario entirely, a different “sixth man”: a British national - let’s call him Nathan - arrested for acting on behalf of a foreign state, say Russia, and manipulating others into carrying out stupid acts that damage the UK. Like nicking fuel around a US airbase, or voting Reform. Makes you think.😂