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Reg Middlemast on his mobility scooter |
‘Protest over BT charge cost me my lifeline’
A DISABLED man claims his phone was cut off after he refused to pay a charge imposed by BT because he pays by cheque.
As a result of his phone being cut off, Reg Middlemast, from Madras Place, Holloway, lost his Link-Up “lifeline”, an emergency service for disabled people.
BT maintains Mr Middlemast asked for his phone to be cut off, although they admit there may have been some “confusion” over this. The company has offered to reconnect the phone provided he pays what he owes.
Mr Middlemast, whose health problems mean he has to use a mobility scooter, refuses to pay BT bills that include a £4.50 a quarter handling charge for customers who pay by cheque or cash.
He has the support of Islington North Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn, who said: “On top of their standing profits, BT seems anxious to drag even more money from the poorest and most vulnerable members of the community. I’m shocked and astonished at their behaviour in cutting off this man’s phone.
“I call upon them to reconnect it immediately and cease punishing people for not having direct debits.”
Mr Middlemast, 53, who worked as a cycle mechanic for 18 years, suffers from diabetes and arthritis. “I am forced to live entirely on benefits, so whatever money I get goes out again to pay bills,” he said.
“I’ve always paid for my phone line to BT by cheque in the post office. But last year they asked for an additional £4.50 handling charge because I didn’t want to take out a direct debit.
“I said I wouldn’t pay it. BT said it was part of my new contract. Then last month they came and disconnected the phone.”
Ian Gentle, secretary of Islington’s Disability Action Group, said: “BT should understand this gentleman’s impairment and the difficulties he’s facing. They are not meeting his needs as a customer.”
George Durack, chairman of Islington’s Pensioners’ Forum, was also appalled by Mr Middlemast’s plight. “I can’t believe BT can treat people like this,” he said. “I didn’t think they can cut disabled people off. We also pay by cheque for our line at Pensioners’ Forum. We haven’t been charged £4.50 yet.”
A BT spokeswoman said: “Our advisor has had a long chat with the customer. We have agreed to reconnect him if he pays what he owes.
“He was not cut off for non-payment of direct debit fee, but following what we believed was a stop from him.
“There may have been some confusion as this customer was obviously planning to withhold this fee.”
She added: “We have offered some way forward, based on payment of owed money, and we will catch up with the customer regarding his decision.”
John Pette, chief operating officer for BT Retail, said that BT was one of the few phone companies that accept non-direct debit payments. |
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