'We fund the BBC, editorial freedom is paramount'; British government backs

LONDON: The British government has clarified its stance on the Income Tax Department's inspection of the Delhi and Mumbai offices of the British media BBC. Rishi Sunak's position on the issue of BBC inspection was answered by Northern Ireland MP Jim Shannon. David Rutley, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, replied on behalf of the Government that he supported the BBC and its editorial independence.

He clarified that the government cannot respond to the allegations leveled by the Income Tax Department as the investigation is on, and freedom of speech and media are necessary for a healthy democracy. We fund the BBC. We stand up for the BBC. Mr Rutley also told Parliament that he believed the BBC's World Service was important.

In Britain, the BBC criticizes both the Conservative Party and the Labor Party. But the British government did not respond to the question of whether it would pressure the Modi government with the support of the United States and other countries against the action against the BBC.