Row renews Tory calls for licence fee axe

THE chaos over Gary Lineker’s tweets has strengthened the argument to scrap the licence fee, senior Tories said last night.

MPs suggested the row showed the problems around the BBC having to maintain impartiality and be funded by the charge which is set to remain until 2027.

Former Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg told GB News: ‘The issue is that the BBC is the state broadcaster and funded through a tax on televisions.

‘If it weren’t, then we wouldn’t need to worry about its impartiality. And if we change the funding mechanism, we could have a much freer media.

‘That would be much better, rather than this pretence that the BBC is impartial. The licence fee is past its sell-by-date.’ Backbencher and TV presenter Philip Davies added: ‘This pathetic capitulation by the BBC is the start of the end for the licence.

‘The BBC can no longer credibly claim it believes in political impartiality and has proved it doesn’t have the stomach to enforce it. It is now a free for all.

‘This is a good day for those who want to see the back of the licence fee. Gary Lineker has done more for that campaign than anyone and I thank him for that.’

Former minister Jonathan Gullis said: ‘If the BBC won’t hold a high standard for its employees to be rigidly impartial, then they shouldn’t continue to be taxpayerfunded as they are no different to any other broadcaster.’

The Prime Minister’s spokesman welcomed the end of the row but added: ‘We’ve been clear the BBC’s funding model faces major challenges.’