Nepal government investigating ‘illegal’ Everest broadcast

KATHMANDU (AFP) – A British mountaineer’s interview with the BBC on his smartphone from the top of Mount Everest has stirred controversy, with the Nepalese government calling the broadcast “illegal”, officials said on Monday.

British mountaineer Daniel Hughes gave a “live” video interview to the BBC on his smartphone from the 8,848m peak on Sunday morning.

“This is the world’s first live video call – never been done before – from the rooftop of the world,” said the climber while breathing heavily through an oxygen mask and wearing a clown’s red nose for charity.

“I don’t have a cameraman with me. It’s me with a pole, an HTC smartphone… and of course my red nose. It’s a very proud moment to be here and 21/2 years in the making,” he added.