In a special report for Channel 4 News, we revealed how the British Boxing Board of Control is facing allegations of racism and victimisation by fighters and some of its own officials.

The sport’s main regulator is currently facing two separate discrimination claims at an Employment Tribunal from its only two black referees. Both Ian John-Lewis and Jeff Hinds are no longer officiating at Board-sanctioned events as a result of the dispute.

The report also disclosed how a Muslim female fighter handed in her licence with the Board after she said she was publicly rebuked before a fight by a supervisor for wearing leggings under her shorts for religious reasons.

Ruqsana Begum said the experience left her feeling “attacked and violated.” She was later suspended by the Board and has had to continue her career by fighting abroad.
The Board has strongly refuted claims of racism and discrimination which has ignited sports’ latest racist row in the wake of cricket and football.

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.

See the Full Documentary

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.

About this report

In an exclusive and groundbreaking investigation, spanning more than six months, Channel 4 News was the first media organisation to gain access inside Yarl’s Wood, Britain’s most notorious immigration detention centre.

We managed the undercover filming on the ground which revealed evidence of the mistreatment of detainees by staff, including racist and sexist behaviour and violence, and unreported incidents of self-harm.

The series of reports led to an independent parliamentary review of the running of Yarl’s Wood by private security firm Serco, while the Home Office also launched its own inquiry.

Inside Yarl’s Wood later won an Amnesty International Media Award and the inaugural Sue Lloyd-Roberts Media Award. It was also shortlisted for the Orwell Prize – Exposing Britain’s Social Evils