Under the Act, the Secretary of State, as well as British Telecom, could licence other operators to run telecom systems.

BBC: BT: From telegraphs to the internet

Some of the biggest call-back operators have no operating licence, are not registered for business in Germany and decline to pay taxes on what they sell.

ECONOMIST: Germany calling back

Mr Hingston, now a private practitioner, said it was "stunning" that he had not seen the licence giving bridge operators the right to charge drivers.

BBC: Documentary to 'reveal untold' Skye Bridge toll stories