Ofcom to investigate episode of Jacob Rees-Mogg's GB News show

Media watchdog Ofcom has launched an investigation into a recent episode of Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg's GB News show.

The 9 May episode of State of the Nation featured the MP covering a breaking news story about a civil trial verdict involving Donald Trump.

The regulator received 40 complaints.

Ofcom said: "We are investigating whether this programme broke our rules, which prevent politicians from acting as newsreaders, unless exceptionally, it is editorially justified."

Serving politicians are, however, allowed to host current affairs shows, as long as a range of views are reflected.

Sir Jacob, a former cabinet minister, hosts the hour-long evening show from Mondays to Thursdays.

Meanwhile, the regulator will also investigate an episode of a Talk TV show presented by former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.

An Ofcom spokesperson said: "We are investigating whether this programme broke our rules requiring news and current affairs to be presented with due impartiality."

The episode from 2 April received two complaints in relation to a discussion about the Scottish National Party (SNP).

The rules around politicians presenting programmes were introduced in 2005.

They say politicians are not normally allowed to be newsreaders, interviewers or reporters in news programmes, but can front current affairs shows.

"Given the rise in the number of current affairs programmes presented by sitting politicians and recent public interest in this issue, we are conducting new research to gauge current audience attitudes towards these programmes," it said last month.

The findings will be published later this year.