Andrew Neil’s scathing take on Channel 4 before U-turn to front Boris Johnson documentary
Andrew Neil forecasts Tory 'summer leadership contest'
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The presenter and former newspaper editor resigned as chairman of GB News last September. The journalist said his departure came after disagreements with other senior staff and the board. A year earlier, Mr Neil had left behind his 25-year BBC career to join GB News, the right-leaning news channel, which launched last summer. One place nobody expected the presenter to end up was Channel 4 – a network long known for its alternative content.
However, Mr Neil will tonight be fronting a new documentary on Channel 4, ‘Boris Johnson: Has He Run Out of Road?’
The programme will examine Mr Johnson’s fragile premiership after recent calls for him to resign over the ‘partygate’ scandal.
Damning reports in recent weeks have alleged that more than a dozen parties were held at Downing Street and other Government buildings in breach of England’s Covid rules.
The fact that Mr Neil is presenting the documentary, has raised eyebrows due to his previous attacks on Channel 4.
While on GB News, the journalist previously accused the publicly-owned channel of “leftish bias”.
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During an item about the future of Channel 4, Neil branded it a “pygmy in global broadcasting”.
He said the channel’s original remit was to “create edgy and diverse programmes for a younger audience.”
However, he added: “The schedules are not exactly chock-a-block with such fare these days.
“The remit has inevitably given much of its output a leftish bias, which doesn’t endear it to the current Government.”
Mr Neil was also asked by a Twitter user on August 15, 2020, if he would ever consider a job at Channel 4.
He dismissed the idea, replying: “Channel 4 is basically the broadcast arm of the Guardian. Don’t think they’d have much interest in me.”
Critics, including some of Mr Neil’s former GB News colleagues have seized on his apparent U-turn.
GB News presenter Dan Wootton said in a tweet: “Not surprised to learn Andrew Neil’s next job is with Channel 4.
“Not even joking! The desperation.”
The journalist Sophie Corcoran also said: “Andrew Neil tried to ruin dozens of young producers, journalists and broadcasters’ careers by smearing them and GB News.
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“It seems the only career he has ruined is his own.”
However, Mr Neil’s presentation of the documentary was welcomed by Channel 4.
The network’s news and current affairs chief Louisa Compton said she was “delighted to announce” he would be fronting the show.
The documentary features prominent Conservative figures, including Lord Frost, Red Wall MP Lee Anderson, and David Davis.
As well as the alleged Downing Street parties, the film will also look at other scandalous moments, including the Government’s bid to block the suspension of Owen Patterson, and the refurbishment of the Downing Street flat.
‘Boris Johnson: Has He Run Out of Road?’ airs tonight from 6:45pm-7:45pm.
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