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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Press Association

No10 'refuse BBC interview' and mull decriminalising non-payment of licence fee

Non-payment of the licence fee could be decriminalised, it is reported.

The Sunday Telegraph said Boris Johnson is looking into consulting on whether people who do not pay the £154.50 licence fee for watching television or BBC's iPlayer catch-up service should be prosecuted.

It comes after Downing Street refused to appear on BBC Radio 4's Today programme due to what they believe is its supposed pro-Remain bias.

Tory chiefs were left enraged when Andrew Neil responded to Boris Johnson chickening out of an interview by 'empty chairing' him in an on-air evisceration of the PM.

Despite the BBC is also accused of pro-Tory bias by the left - and always vehemently denies it from both sides.

Tory chiefs were left enraged when Andrew Neil responded to Boris Johnson chickening out of an interview by 'empty chairing' him (PA)

Last financial year, 25.8 million households had TV licences bringing in £3.6 billion to the BBC.

A review may recommend replacing the existing criminal sanctions for non-payment of the TV licence fee with a civil system of fines.

In the run-up to last week's General Election , Mr Johnson said he was "looking at" abolishing the BBC licence fee altogether.

He said that while the Tories were currently "not planning to get rid of all TV licence fees", the current system "bears reflection".

In the run-up to last week's General Election , Mr Johnson said he was "looking at" abolishing the BBC licence fee altogether (Getty Images)

The current royal charter - which sets out the governance of the BBC - runs until December 2027.

A BBC spokesman said: "The government has already commissioned a QC to take an in-depth look at this matter and he found that 'the current system of criminal deterrence and prosecution should be maintained' and that it is fair and value for money to licence fee payers.

"The review also found that non-payment cases accounted for 'a minute fraction' - only 0.3% - of court time.

"Decriminalisation could also mean we have at least £200 million less to spend on programmes and services our audiences love."

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