Tory MP Dr Neil Hudson has spoken out to defend Channel 4 from being privatised.

Speaking on April 27, he pointed to the needs of people in his constituency, who live in rural areas and have poor internet access.

Hudson, MP for Penrith and the Border, urged the Media and Digital Minister, Julia Lopez, to not privatise Channel 4 and to make sure it remains free-to-air.

He said now is the time to support public broadcasters and hailed the great work they do.

Lopez thanked Hudson for his commitment to connectivity in Penrith and The Border and said her aim was to maintain Channel 4 as free-to-air but said he would have to review the issue in context when the White Paper is published tomorrow.

Dr Hudson’s remarks came in an Urgent Question session tabled by the Official Labour Opposition.

In the Commons, Dr Neil Hudson MP for Penrith and The Border, said: “I know the Government is working on that and my Honourable Friend is working with me to help improve that situation in rural Cumbria, but please, please can I urge the Government to rethink this Channel 4 privatisation idea.

“Now is the time to support, bolster our public service broadcasters, not challenge them or lead to a competitive subscription-based service, which is the last thing that our rural communities need.”

Lopez replied: "First of all, I want to thank my honourable friend for all the work that he's doing on connectivity in his constituency, and I'm pleased to say that Cumbria is one of our priority procurements for a gigabit rollout and I look forward to working with him on that.

"I would simply refer him to previous answers I have given.

"We would maintain Channel 4 as a free to air service, we're not looking for a subscription model and everything that we are doing is seeking to bolster the Public Service Broadcasting sector and I hope that when he sees the context in which this decision has been made that he will feel reassured."