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PropertyIndex takes BBC complaint to minister

Wednesday, 17 June 2009 2:35 PM

An estate agent representative has lodged a complaint with the minister for culture over BBC1's 'Axe the Agent?'.

In March aboutproperty reported on Lee Bramzell's, CEO of PropertyIndex.com, complaint made to the BBC regarding the show 'Axe the Agent?', and today he has looked to the government to stop the programme.

Mr Bramzell said he represented thousands of estate agents in the UK, whose "livelihoods could be directly affected by a television programme on BBC1 that directly advocates British people to eradicate estate agents when looking for property".

Mr Bramzell yesterday followed up the complaint with a letter to Ben Bradshaw, the newly appointed secretary of state for culture, media & sport.

In the letter Mr Bramzell said: "I have previously written to the Mark Thompson, director general of the BBC to complain about the BBC1 programme 'Axe the Agent?', which is a clear misuse of licence fee payers' money to create a show which advocates that the viewing public don't use an estate agent when selling their house.

"There are all sorts of legal reasons why a 'DIY' sale is not a good idea. But it is certainly not a good idea for the BBC to be dabbling in this type of irresponsible broadcasting normally left to commercial broadcasters with not much social responsibility.

"I have not had a satisfactory response from the BBC and would greatly appreciate it if you would take this matter further with the BBC's Board of Trustees. This programme should not be recommissioned for any further series, which I understand is currently the plan."

A BBC spokesperson told aboutproperty in March, "We can assure Mr Bramzell that the programme has no intention to deprive estate agents of their livelihood. The question mark in the title Axe the Agent? is deliberate, making this a question rather than a statement.

"The programme is not telling people they should not use an estate agent. Rather, it is considering the options people have in the current property market. At the beginning and end of each episode, we stress how estate agents have the time and expertise that most people lack, and that if people decide not to use an estate agent and to sell their home themselves, then they need to be sure they are up for the task ahead."

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