Reports & Documentaries

Undercover investigators joined Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on the campaign trail in Clacton, Essex during the 2024 General Election. 

 This explosive film exposed racist, homophobic and Islamophobic language among party supporters and members of Farage’s inner circle, as well as an apparent admission of a breach of spending rules by one campaign official.

 The report, which was nominated for a BAFTA and a succession of other awards, was produced by Lee Sorrell Media on behalf of Channel 4 News.

 It was recognised as a key part of the programme’s output at the RTS awards, where Channel 4 News won Network Daily News Programme of the Year.   

 The much-publicised broadcast sparked widespread condemnation from senior politicians across the political divide, including from then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

 It led to Reform UK coming under further scrutiny about extremist elements within its ranks at a time when it was enjoying increasing popularity in the polls. Farage went on to win the seat despite the controversy.

About this report

In an exclusive investigation for Channel 4 News, we revealed that technology giant Dyson was facing legal action over claims of forced labour and exploitation at a major supplier in Malaysia.

The report revealed how workers had endured long-standing abuses such as sub-standard housing, intimidation and illegal overtime hours at electronics giant ATA, which makes vacuum cleaners and air purifiers for Dyson.

Dyson had been alerted to reports of abuse at ATA for at least two years before it terminated its contracts with the factory in November 2021. Its audit systems had failed to detect any significant problems.

Dyson went on a PR offensive the previous summer, denying to international media that any forced labour issues existed, based on previous inspections of the factory. It was only after a final independent audit was commissioned, involving interviews with more than 2000 workers, that serious abuses were uncovered.

One migrant worker from Nepal, who blew the whistle over appalling conditions at ATA, was taken to a police station and allegedly subjected to torture by an officer. In an exclusive interview, he told Channel 4 News how his ordeal had left him mentally scarred.

About this documentary

In a two-part report, we worked with Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit to run an undercover operation to expose France’s far-right and reveal secret links between violent extremists and one of France’s biggest political parties.

The investigation revealed how members of Generation Identity (GI), one of Europe’s fastest growing far-right movements, carried out racist attacks, made hate speeches and performed Nazi salutes.

We also uncovered how GI activists had infiltrated Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, formerly known as the National Front, enjoyed close links with senior party figures and influenced its policies.

A number of GI members were prosecuted after the programmes were broadcast for a race attack on two teenage Muslim girls in the French city of Lille, which was captured on camera by our investigation team. One activist faces trial for incitement to terrorism.

Generation Hate won a Silver Medal at the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards and was a finalist in the prestigious DIG Awards in Italy and the BANFF Rockie Awards in Canada.

About this documentary

Just months after a building collapse in Dhaka killed more than 1,100 workers while making clothes for some of the UK’s biggest retailers, this investigation highlighted continuing dangerous labour conditions in the Bangladesh garment industry.

Two female workers wore hidden cameras in a daring film which for the first time captured on camera the violence and safety breaches that exist inside the country’s sweatshops.

Children as young as 11 were filmed being slapped and beaten by their supervisors while under intense pressure to meet production targets, while fire exits remained locked during their shifts.

Lee Sorrell produced and directed the film which led to urgent investigations by British retailers who were sourcing clothes from the factories featured.

The programme was the recipient of the prestigious Wincott Foundation Award for Television Journalism and was a finalist in the Broadcast Awards.

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About this report

In a series of reports for Channel 4 News, an undercover investigator went inside Britain’s biggest sports retailer JD Sports to expose oppressive working conditions.

Our reporter was put on a zero-hours contract with an agency who supply JD Sports, one of the success stories of the British High Street, with hundreds of workers on minimum wage at the company’s main distribution hub in Rochdale.

Shocking footage highlighted how workers endured gruelling 12-hour shifts and were threatened with a “three strikes” disciplinary regime which meant they faced the sack for breaches such as sitting down, missing production targets and eating chewing gum.

JD Sports announced an inquiry into its working practices following the investigation after initially denying our claims.

The programme later won the highly-coveted Wincott Foundation Award for Television Journalism and was shortlisted for the British Journalism Awards.