We stand with the BBC: UK government in Parliament after Income Tax crackdown
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The Deputy Minister of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) responded to an urgent question raised in the House of Commons on Tuesday, saying the government cannot comment on allegations made on the “Investigation of the Income Tax Department”. , but stressed that media and freedom of expression are essential elements of a “strong democracy”.
The UK government has strongly defended the BBC and its editorial independence following an Income Tax Department “survey” operation on the BBC’s New Delhi and Mumbai offices over three days last week. The Deputy Minister of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) responded to an urgent question raised in the House of Commons on Tuesday, saying the government cannot comment on allegations made on the “Investigation of the Income Tax Department”. , but stressed that media and freedom of expression are essential elements of a “strong democracy”.
Parliamentary deputy minister for FCDO, David Rutley, said the UK was able to discuss issues in a “constructive way”, referring to the “broad and deep relationship” with India. He said, “We stand for the BBC. We fund the BBC. We think the BBC World Service is important. We want the BBC to have editorial independence.” Ratley said, “It criticizes us (the government), it criticizes the (opposition) Labor Party, and it has the freedom that we believe it should have.” is very important. Freedom is a key, and we want to tell our friends around the world about its importance, including the government in India.
On this issue, the Minister informed the House of Commons that India’s Income Tax Department’s survey campaign on BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai started on 14 February and ended after three days on 16 February. “It will continue to do so, because it is important to make sure that our voice, and an independent voice through the BBC, is heard around the world,” Ratley said.
When MPs from opposition parties expressed concern over the ‘raids’ and called for discussions with the Indian government, the minister said, “It is because of our wide and deep ties with India that we are able to engage constructively with the government there.” Able to discuss a wide range of issues. The issue has been raised in talks and we are continuing to monitor the situation. task” and sharply criticized the UK government for failing to make a statement on the issue.
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Member of Parliament Shannon said, “The raid happened seven days ago. I would like to respectfully say that the FCDOs are keeping mum. No statement was issued by the government. The questions are being asked so that the government condemns the ruthless attack on the freedom of the press. ” Labor Party’s Sikh MP Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi expressed concern and said ” We have shared the values of democracy and press freedom with India.
India decided to raid the BBC offices following the airing of a documentary critical of the Prime Minister’s actions.” Investigating the BBC for seven years. However, the minister refused to comment regarding the probe. In a statement after the ‘survey’, the Income Tax Department said the income and profits declared by BBC units were “not commensurate with the scale of operations in India”.
Disclaimer:IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.
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