Overview
- The Clothes Show creator says he stopped consuming BBC output, told the corporation in August his home did not require a licence, and then received five escalating enforcement letters.
- Banks says the notices warned of a £1,000 fine and, in the latest letter last week, indicated he was on a list that could trigger an inspector visit to his property.
- He characterises the correspondence as harassment and says he has warned the BBC he will hand the matter to his lawyers if it continues.
- Banks links his stance to the BBC’s Panorama episode that edited a Donald Trump speech, a controversy followed by the resignations of director-general Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness.
- The annual TV licence is reported at £174.50 with enforcement that can include fines, and outlets reporting Banks’ claims said the BBC had been contacted for comment without a published response.