The media watchdog should decide within months whether to strip BSkyB of its broadcasting licence, a senior MP said today.
Simon Hughes, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, called on Ofcom to decide “as soon as possible” whether BSkyB was “fit and proper” to broadcast in the UK, given News Corporation’s controlling stake in the company.
The watchdog stepped up its investigation into BSkyB by asking for evidence about phone hacking.
News International, which published the News of the World, is a subsidiary of News Corp which has a 39 per cent stake in BSkyB. James Murdoch stepped down as chairman of BSkyB this month after quitting the same post at News International.
Mr Hughes, a victim of phone hacking, said: “It is welcome that Ofcom are taking this matter seriously. In the interest of public confidence in our broadcasters, I would hope that a decision will come as soon as possible.”
