I was used in YouTuber Niko Omilana’s ‘scam’ election bid – TV runner

The 24-year-old TV professional said they answered an advert looking for runners.

At first told they would be picking up documents, they said they assumed it would be release forms relating to filming.

They were later given a google document containing residents’ contact details and a script to read from when they approached.

Looking back, they said: “I hate to use the word scam but that’s kind of what it felt like.

“I was told one thing but really I was doing another… it went from runner, driving, picking up documents, to me then having to go to people’s houses to collect signatures.”

The script sent to the freelancer stated workers should tell potential nominators: “Niko really wants to give people something to connect to this general election.”

It added: “If anyone asks if Niko is running in their constituency, the answer is Yes, but please DO NOT ELABORATE.”

They said: “That’s when flashlights were going off in my head, no this is not right… I don’t really feel comfortable being a political canvasser.

“All I was given was a name – I’d never heard of him, I didn’t know what he stood for.”

Asked to gather 15 signatures, they were also encouraged to ask respondents if they knew anyone else who might sign.

Despite being employed for a full week, the freelancer abandoned the £100-a-day role after just a few hours and decided not to pursue payment.

At no point did they feel “pressured into doing it,” they said, but added: “I completely didn’t feel comfortable with it.”