Bramzell raises his campaign against Axe the Agent? show

Internet entrepreneur Lee Bramzell has taken his fight to get the BBC programme Axe the Agent? taken permanently off air to the new culture minister.

Bramzell, who is chief executive of pay-per-lead portal PropertyIndex, had previously lobbied the director general of the BBC. He has now written to Ben Bradshaw, secretary of state for culture, media and sport.

Bramzell claims in his latest letter that the programme is “a clear misuse” of licence-payers’ money and that the second series, currently in the pipeline, should be binned.

His letter says: “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.
 
“There are 125,000 estate agents whose livelihoods depend on a thriving and buoyant housing market. The fact the housing market is having one of the most difficult times in recent memory means this programme really does just add salt to the wounds. 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.”