GB News presenter Patrick Christys has been fined £500 for littering after dropping a cigarette butt out of his car window, an incident he claims was an accident and resulted from entrapment by a civil enforcement officer. The TV journalist was issued the fixed penalty notice in Nottingham for the offense.
Christys recounted the incident on GB News' Off the Record podcast, stating that he had been talking on the phone when he dropped the cigarette. He asserted that he was close to the car and intended to pick up the butt and dispose of it in a bin. However, an enforcement officer approached, body camera activated, and informed him it was a crime. Christys offered to put the butt in the bin immediately, which he then did, but the officer proceeded with issuing the fine.
The presenter challenged the officer, questioning how he knew the cigarette was littering and suggesting he hadn't made an attempt to leave the scene. The officer reportedly stated that by picking it up, Christys had admitted it was his. Christys accused the officer of entrapment, noting that he had initially refused to give his details until a passerby identified him.
He later sought legal advice and, fearing escalation, reluctantly agreed to pay the reduced fine of £100 if paid within 14 days, with the potential to rise to £2,500 if not paid. Christys also claimed that later the same day, he observed individuals smoking cannabis and discarding their waste on the ground, but saw no enforcement action taken.
Broxtowe Council, where the incident occurred, stated they could not comment on individual cases but that anyone issued a Fixed Penalty Notice can challenge it. The council confirmed that environmental enforcement is carried out by a third-party contractor on their behalf, in partnership with site owners.