Nation Radio London aired a prohibited political advertisement despite the script receiving clearance from Radiocentre.
Ofcom found the station in breach of Rule 7.2 of the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising following two complaints about an advertisement for Havering Residents Association.
The 28 second advertisement was broadcast during the breakfast show at 7.40am on 23 April 2026. It described the organisation as “your independent local voice” and directed listeners to its website for information about its councillors and past achievements.
Havering Residents Association is a registered political party and fielded candidates in the Havering London Borough Council election on 7 May, two weeks after the broadcast.
The licence for Nation Radio London is held by Thames Radio Limited. It told Ofcom that staff had not initially identified the advertiser as a political party, but removed the advertisement immediately after being notified about the complaints.
The campaign had been booked through an advertising agency and the script was produced by an external production company. It was then cleared for broadcast by Radiocentre before passing through the station’s commercial scheduling process.
Radiocentre said it had initially inferred from the organisation’s name that it was a group of neighbours advocating for their collective interests. After reviewing its website again, it accepted that the advertisement raised issues under the political advertising rules.
Thames Radio accepted responsibility but argued that “the most significant failure in this matter lies with RadioCentre clearance”. It also expressed concern that the ruling created a “double jeopardy situation” for broadcasters when cleared copy later proved unsuitable.
Ofcom acknowledged that Thames Radio had obtained the required clearance and acted quickly when alerted. However, it ruled that the advertiser’s objects were mainly political and that the content also promoted its interests during the election period.
