North Dorset MP Simon Hoare has welcomed reports that Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan has recommended the Government drops its plans to privatise Channel 4.

On Wednesday, Global's Lewis Goodall shared a letter reportedly written by Ms Donelan to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, which said she has "concluded that pursuing a sale at this point is not the right decision and there are better ways to secure C4C's (Channel 4 Corporation) sustainability and that of the independent production sector".

Following the news, Mr Hoare tweeted: "A welcome and excellent decision/recommendation by @michelledonelan: if it ain't broke; don't fix it!"

Labour's shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell said the "Conservatives' vendetta against Channel 4 was always wrong for Britain", following reports that the Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan has recommended the Government drops its plans to privatise Channel 4.

Ms Powell tweeted: "The Conservatives' vendetta against Channel 4 was always wrong for Britain, growth in our creative economy and a complete waste of everyone's time.

"Our broadcasting and creative industries lead the world, yet this Government has hamstrung them with this total distraction."

She added: "Labour opposed this sell off, and took a strong stand. Government must now bring forward the Media Bill to protect and promote Britain's broadcasters in the streaming age.

"Whilst the Conservatives crash our economy, we have a plan to nurture and grow our creative industries."

Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone has said the plans to sell off Channel 4 was "nothing more than a culture war waged by a rash and reckless Cabinet".

This comes after reports that Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan has recommended the Government drops its plans to privatise the broadcaster.

The MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross tweeted: "This is good news - the threat to sell of Channel 4 was nothing more than a culture war waged by a rash and reckless Cabinet.

"But for this Government to be doing the exact opposite to the last just goes to show how divided the Conservatives are.

"I think they need a break."