ITV may get away with its latest vote-rigging debacle involving presenters Ant and Dec - and avoid a seven-figure fine in the process.

The network is set to walk away having suffered no more than a relatively tiny fine after its defence team discovered a legal loophole to stop Ofcom enforcing its maximum charge.

This window of escape allows programmes belonging to ITV to be registered with Channel Television, a small franchise in Jersey and Guernsey, which reviews approximately 40 per cent of its shows for breaches of broadcasting guidelines.

Scandal: Robbie Williams with Ant and Dec after presenting them with the award

Due to the place they are registered broadcasting watchdog Ofcom can only fine ITV an amount that is relative to the small advertising revenue of Channel Television.

Without this loophole, the network would be facing a fine based on the £1.5billion it earned last year.

It was set to lose approximately £175,000 for its deceit but now it is more likely to be fined just £50,000.

ITV has been under fire since it was revealed to have awarded golden boys McPartlin and Donnelly The People's Choice Award at the 2005 British Comedy Awards - despite competitor Catherine Tate receiving the most votes in the deciding public phone-in.

An inquiry by law firm Olswang unveiled that Robbie Williams had agreed to be a presenter on the condition he would give an award to the "Saturday Night Takeaway" twosome.

When it became clear the pair had not actually won any accolades the network is though to have disregarded the "choice" of their viewers who were paying a premium rate to phone in and cast their vote.

However, despite this loophole Ofcom is apparently determined to punish ITV for the scandal.

It will demand ministers create new legislation if the loophole cannot be closed.

A regulatory source said to The Times: "This was one of the worst cases if not the worst case, that has come to light."

Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster also commented saying: "The public will see this as a derisory amount amount for the scale of deception involved. ITV is ultimately responsible for what appears on our screens so it should be held to account."

Defending the loophole, ITV said: "We have serious reservations about the existing compliance structure and have raised concerns with Ofcom."