‘My TV licence fee shouldn’t be used to compensate Donald Trump’ | News

A petition calling on the BBC not to pay compensation to Donald Trump following his $1 billion legal threat has now surpassed 45,000 signatures.

The Independent spoke exclusively to Ian Fisher, who started the petition, and argued that any financial payments to Trump would be “improper and contrary to the ethics of public service broadcasting”.

Citing public objection to this use of funds, it demands that any compensation paid be refunded to TV licence-payers.

Trump gave the BBC until Friday, November 14, to respond to the lawsuit threat.

Editing of Trump’s speech on January 6 in an edition of the newspaper Panorama program triggered the resignation of managing director Tim Davie and news director Deborah Turness.

The Independent has contacted the BBC for comment.