HOWZAT

"Government wants industry to ensure that self regulation is meaningful and works.

"Whilst I know that eBay have taken steps to improve ticketing transactions on your website, nonetheless in this case sellers are currently engaging in resale which flouts the BBC's terms and conditions.

"In effect, this means you are enabling publication for customers on your site to purchase a ticket which could be cancelled, would result in refusal of entry because these tickets are potentially void.

Mr Woodward added: "I'm very upset that eBay doesn't realise the moral issue that lies here.

"eBay is being asked not to help people do something that may well leave them out of pocket and very, very angry.

"The public feels very strongly about ticket touting so I will now look at other options of reducing the problem."

A BBC spokesman said: "Radio 1 does not condone anyone selling on its tickets via sites such as eBay.

"From the outset, Radio 1 has said that tickets should not be bought from unofficial channels as there is no guarantee that these tickets are real and they may well be fakes."

An eBay spokesman said: "Whilst it is perfectly legal to sell concert tickets, eBay has in the past banned tickets to certain events that have been unique and commemorative in nature, such as the concert for Diana.

"Radio 1 approached us on the day the tickets were being issued and we explained then why we didn't feel a ban would be justified on this occasion.

"While we have previously banned tickets on the basis that an event is unique or commemorative in nature, we did not feel that a Radio 1 roadshow was of a similar nature to qualify for a ban on our site.

"However, we have offered to meet with the Minister to discuss the issues surrounding events of this nature and remain committed to working with the Government to improve the secondary ticket market."

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