TV Licensing - Withdrawal of Summons
Dear British Broadcasting Corporation,
I am aware of a number of instances where a Summons for TV Licence evasion has been withdrawn by TV Licensing following protestations of innocence by the (alleged) defendant, before the case appears in Court.
Please can you tell me:-
1. The number of such instances on any relevant reporting basis.
2. Any relevant breakdown of the numbers, for example:-
a) Proven/provable irregularity with the 178 form (differences between copies).
b) Non-provable irregularities with 178 forms.
c) Issues with BBC processes.
d) Issues with PACE requirements.
3. The number of TVL operatives subject to criminal, fiscal or disciplinary penalty, or retraining following the withdrawal of a summons.
Please be aware that misconduct in a public office is a serious matter - one in which a clear public interest exists in favour of full and frank disclosure.
Yours faithfully,
Mark on behalf on LicenceFree.co.uk
Dear Mark,
Thank you for your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as detailed in your email below. Your request was received on 6th August 2013. We will deal with your request as promptly as possible, and at the latest within 20 working days. If you have any queries about your request, please contact us at the address below.
The reference number for your request is RFI20131140.
Kind regards
The Information Policy & Compliance Team
BBC Freedom of Information
BC2 B6, Broadcast Centre
201 Wood Lane
London W12 7TP
www.bbc.co.uk/foi
Email: [BBC request email]
Tel: 020 8008 2882
Mark left an annotation ()
Peter,
Let's give them time to respond.
We're both very familiar with the deficiencies in their processes, but these potential miscarriages of justice are a serious matter.
It would be good to know that the BBC is aware of the issue and is taking appropriate action.
Dear Mark,
Please find attached the response to your request for information,
reference RFI20131140
Yours sincerely,
The Information Policy and Complaince Team
BBC Information Policy and Compliance
BC2B6, Broadcast Centre
201 Wood Lane
London W12 7TP, UK
Website: [1]www.bbc.co.uk/foi
Email: [2]mailto:[BBC request email]
Tel: 020 8008 2882
Fax: 020 8008 2398
References
Visible links
1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/foi
2. mailto:[BBC request email]
3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Dear FOI Enquiries,
Please narrow my request to the month of March 2013.
Therefore:-
I am aware of a number of instances where a Summons for TV Licence evasion has been withdrawn by TV Licensing following protestations of innocence by the (alleged) defendant, before the case appears in Court.
Please can you tell me:-
1. The number of such instances during March 2013.
2. Any relevant breakdown of the numbers, for example:-
a) Proven/provable irregularity with the 178 form (differences
between copies).
b) Non-provable irregularities with 178 forms.
c) Issues with BBC processes.
d) Issues with PACE requirements.
3. The number of TVL operatives subject to criminal, fiscal or disciplinary penalty, or retraining following the withdrawal of a summons during this period.
Yours sincerely,
Mark on behalf of LicenceFree.co.uk
Dear Mark,
Thank you for your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as detailed in your email below. Your request was received on 6th September 2013. We will deal with your request as promptly as possible, and at the latest within 20 working days. If you have any queries about your request, please contact us at the address below.
The reference number for your request is RFI20131305.
Kind regards
The Information Policy & Compliance Team
BBC Freedom of Information
BC2 B6, Broadcast Centre
201 Wood Lane
London W12 7TP
www.bbc.co.uk/foi
Email: [BBC request email]
Tel: 020 8008 2882
Dear Mark,
Please find attached the response to your request for information, reference RFI20131305.
Yours sincerely,
The Information Policy and Compliance Team
BBC Information Policy and Compliance
BC2B6, Broadcast Centre
201 Wood Lane
London W12 7TP, UK
Website: www.bbc.co.uk/foi
Email: mailto:[BBC request email]
Tel: 020 8008 2882
Fax: 020 8008 2398
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Peter Jones left an annotation ()
Dear Mark,
Thank you for your request, which we have no intention of replying to because doing so would demonstrate how little confidence we have in our prosecution evidence and court paperwork.
Kind regards
BBC xx