Bottomley bans TV porn channel

A pornographic satellite channel was yesterday effectively banned by the Government.

Virginia Bottomley, the Secretary of State for National Heritage, announced an order outlawing the supply of smart cards, programme listings or advertising for the hard core pornographic channel XXXTV, previously known as TV Erotica. "The Government will not allow such degrading material to be easily available in this country," she said.

The Swedish station, which cost pounds 139 for a 12-month subscription, has been broadcasting since February. The Independent Television Commission called in March for a government ban.

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