Jeremy Kyle ‘should be prosecuted’ for refusing to be quizzed over lie detector guest’s suicide, says MP
JEREMY Kyle should face prosecution for refusing to be quizzed by MPs over the suicide of a guest on his show, according to a leading MP.
Damian Collins, chair of the digital, culture, media and sport committee, is calling for new laws to force people to give evidence before parliament.
Mr Collins said Kyle should face punishment after he dodged giving evidence about the role The Jeremy Kyle Show played in Steve Dymond's death.
He wrote in : “I believe we need to formalise powers and have clear real-world sanctions for those that refuse to comply with a request to provide evidence.
"In the US, such behaviour is treated as a criminal offence, just as perjury in court would be.
"These committees have become a place where parliament can stand up for the interests of the people.
"I am strongly in favour of real-world sanctions for those who fail to comply with parliamentary committees.”
KYLE FAILED TO APPEAR BEFORE MPs
Kyle snubbed MPs by refusing to give evidence about the axed show's dramatic collapse.
The ITV host was due to appear before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee after the death of guest Steven Dymond.
But the committee confirmed Kyle had "declined" the invitation to appear.
Kyle, 53, is the only person to refuse to attend so far.
At the time, Mr Collins told MPs: “We believe that Jeremy Kyle himself should be an important witness to that as the show is based around him as the lead presenter of it.
"We have sent an invitation to Mr Kyle through his representatives.
"And we have received word back from them that he has declined to appear in front of the committee."
What happened to The Jeremy Kyle Show?
The Jeremy Kyle Show aired on ITV for 14 years before it was permanently axed on May 15.
Carolyn McCall, ITV’s CEO, announced: “Given the gravity of recent events we have decided to end production of The Jeremy Kyle Show.
“The Jeremy Kyle Show has had a loyal audience and has been made by a dedicated production team for 14 years, but now is the right time for the show to end.
“Everyone at ITV's thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of Steve Dymond."
Steve Dymond and his ex-fiance Jane Callaghan filmed their episode on Thursday May 2 over suspisions he was cheating.
The lie detector test revealed Steve had reportedly not been truthful.
Days later Steve was found dead by his landlady and the show was taken off the air shortly after.
The episode was never aired and was instead replaced with a rerun of Dickinson's Real Deal.
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MPs launched the probe amid uproar at Mr Dymond’s death and the suicides of Love Island contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon.
Mr Dymond, from Portsmouth, appeared on the show to try and convince fiancee Jane Callaghan that he hadn't been unfaithful.
The couple split after he failed the lie detector test and Steve took his own life a few days later.
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