People on Twitter are suggesting that Piers Morgan could be sent to prison for destroying a banknote live on air.
During this morning’s episode of Good Morning Britain, Morgan was seen ripping the Bank of England’s new fiver with his teeth to prove the plastic note is not quite as durable as it first seems. Watch below.
However, as some viewers pointed out on Twitter, Morgan’s act of deliberate destruction could be deemed illegal. Although there is actually no specific law relating to the destruction of banknotes, it is illegal to “deface” them as they remain the property of the Bank of England.
The Bank of England states on its website: “Under the Currency & Banknotes Act 1928 it is illegal to deface our banknotes (by printing, writing or impressing upon them words, letters or figures, etc.), although the question of whether or not to prosecute in individual cases is up to the police and the courts.”
Among those suggesting Morgan could be prosecuted for his deliberate act of destruction is his old nemesis Alan Sugar, who wrote: “I was always told that tearing paper money was in fact illegal. Is @piersmorgan guilty of a crime live on @GMB . Hmm lock him up.”
I was always told that tearing paper money was in fact illegal. Is @piersmorgan guilty of a crime live on @GMB . Hmm lock him up
— Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) September 13, 2016
Piers Morgan has just used his teeth to tear the new £5 note #GoodMorningBritain #dickhead #lockhimup&throwawaythekey
— Adrian (@alauflynn) September 13, 2016
if piers morgan gets a criminal record for tearing up a £5 note that would top 2016 off for me
— nick (@daqraca) September 13, 2016