GB News reported the UK’s public service broadcaster is handing out thousands for guest appearances on its programmes. The GB News claim states that the MP for Yardley in Birmingham received £15,000 for her appearance on a single edition of BBC1’s Have I Got News For You. GB News presenter Dan Wootton fumed at the alleged pay packet.
On Twitter, he said: “Insanity that the BBC pays guest hosts of Have I Got News For You, including MPs like Jess Phillips, £15,000!
“For one episode! Taking a few hours!
“Most would do for a fraction of that.
“Those who claim the BBC doesn’t waste our money must think again.”
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Ms Phillips hosted the show on December 10 alongside regular team members Ian Hislop and Paul Merton.
On the night in question, they were also joined by panellists Jon Richardson and Hannah Fry.
The amount that the MP received was recorded in the Register of Members’ Interests.
The register stated that Ms Philips was paid £15,000 in return for 12 hours’ work.
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A source, speaking to the Mail on Sunday, questioned the official time it took to make the programme.
The source said: “Twelve hours is the most hilarious bit.
“None of them work on the script.
“They just get handed it.
“Scriptwriters start writing Monday lunchtime and finish on Thursday night.
“Normal recording time is about two to two-and-a-half hours.”
Reacting to the news, Rebecca Ryan, Campaign Director, Defund the BBC said: “This is appalling. At a time when vulnerable Britons are being forced to choose between heating and eating, and the BBC plan to double prosecutions for non-payment of the licence fee, we now find out that MPs are being bunged an extra £15,000 for an hours work with Auntie.
“It is an insult to hard-working, struggling families – two-thirds of whom want to scrap the BBC TV licence – that the corporation continues to bully money out of them only to splurge it on this gravy train.
“It’s no wonder that people are switching to on-demand and legally cancelling their TV licences in their droves.”
Express.co.uk contacted the BBC for comment, however, the broadcaster has yet to return with a reply.
