Dozens of BBC presenters working out of contract to avoid tax clauses

DOZENS of BBC presenters are working out of contract after refusing to sign new deals that bind them to “draconian” tax clauses.

HMRC is pursuing radio and television presenters whose salaries were channelled via personal service companies. The presenters argue that the BBC gave them no option but to be paid that way, but many now face substantial tax bills.

Contracts issued within the past year contain a newlyworded clause that reads: “Should HMRC or other relevant body or authority make any claim against the BBC in respect of your tax or national insurance liabilities, you shall fully indemnify and hold harmless the BBC from such claims to the fullest possible extent.”

They also state that if a tax tribunal rules against a presenter, the BBC “shall be entitled to terminate this contract forthwith”.

In a statement, a group of more than 170 BBC radio and television presenters that has formed to challenge the corporation’s handling of the tax row said: “The BBC has introduced indemnity clauses into presenter contracts which are so broad that many of us have refused to sign such contracts.

“As a result of these difficulties, many of the best known people on various channels have been working out of contract for months.”

The presenters affected have been moved on to rolling monthly contracts, meaning they could be dropped at any time. A BBC spokesman said: “The clauses were updated in April 2017, but where people have preferred to retain the old wording we have agreed to that.”