Category Archives: tax dodgers

Jeremy Paxman famously asked the then Tory Home Secretary Michael Howard the same question 12 times on Newsnight. Former Newsnight editor Peter Horrocks chose it as his favourite moment when the programme celebrated its 25 anniversary, and the clip is available on the Newsnight website (unlike many other people’s favourite – the outing of Peter Mandelson by Matthew Parris, which the BBC refuses to rebroadcast).

On Monday Boris Johnson asked Paxman what he earns at least five times during the course of their interview. Newsnight decided to cut the segment from broadcast:

THE BBC was blasted last night over claims it cut parts of an interview where Boris Johnson attacked Jeremy Paxman over his wages.
It is claimed the London Mayor demanded “five or six times” to know the BBC anchor’s taxpayer-funded salary – thought to be £1million a year…
Johnson said: “We didn’t get an answer for that by the way – about your earnings.”
The BBC last night said cuts were due to programme timings and views were “fairly reflected”. Mayoral aides have called for the unedited interview to go out online.

The BBC’s tax-dodging superstars do not like it up ’em.

More on this from the All Seeing Eye.

(Hat tips to anyone and everyone who has mentioned this in the comments.)