Ian Katz, chief content officer at Channel 4, has issued a fresh statement claiming the broadcaster acted appropriately upon learning of "issues raised" by Married at First Sight contestants.
He said Channel 4 “ensured that women involved were kept safe when any issues were raised to us” and were given “appropriate support”.
His comments come after allegations of rape and sexual misconduct were made by Married At First Sight UK participants as part of a BBC Panorama investigation.
All of the participants accused of the offences have denied the allegations.
Three women have accused their 'on-screen husbands' of sexual assault | C4
Mr Katz's latest comments came during a briefing for Channel 4's annual report at an event in London on Wednesday morning.
He said of the saga: “I would just say I was obviously here and making decisions relating to some of the issues that you raised in the Panorama and I am very confident that based on the knowledge that we had at the time that we made the right decisions.
"That we ensured that women involved were kept safe when any issues were raised to us, that we gave them the appropriate support, and that we took the right decisions through the production process and beyond that.”
However, he did go on to clarify that it was “clearly right to take a second look” at the allegations and whether the channel “got it right at the time” or could do anything to improve welfare.
Shona Manderson | GETTYFormer Married at First Sight contestant Shona Manderson is among those who accused their on-screen partners of misconduct.
Two other anonymous women alleged they were raped by their on-screen husbands
Mr Katz's defence of Channel 4 comes just hours after the chairwoman of the CMS Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage demanded answers.
She said: “The horrifying allegations about Married At First Sight raise serious concerns over whether enough is being done to protect people taking part in reality television.
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MAFS aired on Channel 4's E4
| REUTERS“Both Channel 4 and Ofcom, as the broadcasting regulator, have urgent questions to answer.”
On Tuesday, police urged potential victims of sexual assault on reality TV show Married At First Sight UK to get in touch.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of media reporting relating to allegations of rape and sexual assault following the airing of a television programme on Monday, May 18.
“At this time, we have not received any criminal reports in relation to this matter.
Ian Katz
|PA
“We will be making approaches to the relevant production teams to ensure that anyone they have spoken to is aware of how to report any criminal allegations to police.
“We continue to encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual assault, no matter how long ago it happened, to get in touch with us.”
Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra also spoke to reporters on Wednesday as she confirmed a review into the allegations was underway.
She said: “While I attempt to do my best to answer questions, I’ll ask their forbearance because there are limitations on what I can say before this review is complete late in the summer.
“That said, I have watched the programme and heard the women’s accounts, which are very troubling.
"Their distress is clear, and for that I am, of course, deeply sorry. Welfare across all our programmes is hugely important to us, and is a primary concern.
“However, I’m sure you’ll appreciate that Channel 4 cannot investigate the specific allegations against the men, which they have denied, nor can I comment on them in any way.
“We are a broadcaster, not an adjudicator, and allegations of this type are investigated by other bodies, including when complaints are raised by the police. What I can do, and have done, as you have heard, is to commission an external review, which I did just days after being first contacted by the BBC back in April.”