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Edmonds begins TV licence boycott | Edmonds begins TV licence boycott |
(about 16 hours later) | |
Presenter Noel Edmonds has stopped paying his TV licence fee as he does not like the BBC's "threatening" manner towards those who do not have licences. | |
"Auntie's put boxing gloves on. I'm so incensed by the idea that I'm guilty of something that I actually cancelled my licence fee a few months ago," he said. | "Auntie's put boxing gloves on. I'm so incensed by the idea that I'm guilty of something that I actually cancelled my licence fee a few months ago," he said. |
No organisation would threaten him, he added. "They haven't found me, and nobody's come knocking on the door." | No organisation would threaten him, he added. "They haven't found me, and nobody's come knocking on the door." |
TV Licensing said "the law was clear" that evaders risked a £1,000 fine. | TV Licensing said "the law was clear" that evaders risked a £1,000 fine. |
A spokesperson said a "comprehensive database of almost 30 million addresses allows us to see exactly which properties are unlicensed". | A spokesperson said a "comprehensive database of almost 30 million addresses allows us to see exactly which properties are unlicensed". |
"While we would always prefer people buy a licence rather than risk prosecution and a fine, TV Licensing has a duty to enforce the licence fee on behalf of the honest majority who pay. | "While we would always prefer people buy a licence rather than risk prosecution and a fine, TV Licensing has a duty to enforce the licence fee on behalf of the honest majority who pay. |
"Unfortunately some people will only buy a licence when warned of the consequences of being unlicensed." | "Unfortunately some people will only buy a licence when warned of the consequences of being unlicensed." |
'Astonishing value' | 'Astonishing value' |
Edmonds, a former BBC Radio 1 breakfast DJ and host of BBC TV shows such as Noel's House Party, said there was now "an aggressive culture" in the UK. | Edmonds, a former BBC Radio 1 breakfast DJ and host of BBC TV shows such as Noel's House Party, said there was now "an aggressive culture" in the UK. |
"There are too many organisations - and the BBC is a fabulous organisation - that seem to think it's OK to badger, hector and threaten people," he told BBC One's Breakfast. | "There are too many organisations - and the BBC is a fabulous organisation - that seem to think it's OK to badger, hector and threaten people," he told BBC One's Breakfast. |
We all have to care a bit more. We have a society where we blame someone else when something goes wrong Noel Edmonds | We all have to care a bit more. We have a society where we blame someone else when something goes wrong Noel Edmonds |
"I worked for the BBC for 30 years. | "I worked for the BBC for 30 years. |
"When I was at the BBC, it promoted the licence fee by saying how wonderful it was because - let's face it - the BBC licence fee is astonishing value," the 59-year-old added. | "When I was at the BBC, it promoted the licence fee by saying how wonderful it was because - let's face it - the BBC licence fee is astonishing value," the 59-year-old added. |
Now, however, the BBC said "we know where you are" in campaigns to avoid evasion, he claimed. About one in 20 viewers failed to pay the £139.50 charge in 2007-8. | Now, however, the BBC said "we know where you are" in campaigns to avoid evasion, he claimed. About one in 20 viewers failed to pay the £139.50 charge in 2007-8. |
This week the BBC announced it was giving its audiences the chance to say if they thought the way the fee was collected, and the deterrents for evaders, were appropriate. | This week the BBC announced it was giving its audiences the chance to say if they thought the way the fee was collected, and the deterrents for evaders, were appropriate. |
Sir Michael Lyons, who chairs the BBC Trust governing body, said there needed to be a "balance" between "ensuring compliance and avoiding any disproportionate heavy-handedness". | Sir Michael Lyons, who chairs the BBC Trust governing body, said there needed to be a "balance" between "ensuring compliance and avoiding any disproportionate heavy-handedness". |
Edmonds spent 30 years at the BBC, with a spell as Radio 1's breakfast DJAsked to respond to Edmonds' boycott, the BBC avoided commenting directly on his remarks. | Edmonds spent 30 years at the BBC, with a spell as Radio 1's breakfast DJAsked to respond to Edmonds' boycott, the BBC avoided commenting directly on his remarks. |
But it issued a statement referring to the public consultation and said: "We would really encourage people to be part of that." | But it issued a statement referring to the public consultation and said: "We would really encourage people to be part of that." |
Edmonds was using his interview to promote his new Sky 1 series Noel's HQ, which he said would be responsible for good deeds which would improve people's lives. | Edmonds was using his interview to promote his new Sky 1 series Noel's HQ, which he said would be responsible for good deeds which would improve people's lives. |
"The politicians - and I'm talking about Gordon Brown - have had their day," he said. | "The politicians - and I'm talking about Gordon Brown - have had their day," he said. |
"They've had their chance to do it and look at the mess we're now in." | "They've had their chance to do it and look at the mess we're now in." |
He explained it was "down to the man in the street, individuals, every single person watching us this morning, to say, 'Well, what did I do today for Britain? What did I do for people I don't know?'" | He explained it was "down to the man in the street, individuals, every single person watching us this morning, to say, 'Well, what did I do today for Britain? What did I do for people I don't know?'" |