BBC veteran John Simpson blasts Boris Johnson licence fee plans

BBC news veteran John Simpson fears Boris Johnson is plotting an assault on the Beeb including scrapping the licence fee.

The world affairs editor said axing the charge would seriously harm the quality of the corporation’s output.

He added the Prime Minister feels “bruised by the broadcasters” and that governments “want the BBC to back them” and lash out when they feel they have been undermined.

John, 75, said in the Radio Times: “For possibly the ninth time in my 53 years with the BBC, a British government is limbering up to launch a major attack on us.”

John Simpson worries the BBC is under threat (BBC)

He talked about fears the licence fee will be “dumped altogether”.

John said the Beeb must not alter the way it reports, but he added: “Maybe we’ll get through this attack, maybe we won’t.”

The Government said last month it plans to look at whether failing to pay the licence fee should cease to be a crime.

The BBC said such a move could cost it £200 million a year.