Three Police Officers Injured, Six Arrested During Protest

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Chaotic scenes outside BBC

Three police officers were injured and six people were arrested during the anti-BNP protest outside BBC Television Centre on the evening of Thursday October 22.

Wood Lane was closed, causing local traffic to grind to a halt as around 500 protesters blocked the street.

The demonstration was being held as a protest against the appearance of the BNP leader Nick Griffin on tonight's Question Time.

Police also said around 30 people had entered the BBC, but were swiftly led out.

Earlier, Hammersmith and Fulham Council appealed to the demonstrators to respect local public and keep their protest peaceful.

In the days leading up to the recording, the BBC had been under intense pressure to withdraw Griffin's invitation but the corporation insisted it had made the right decision, arguing that the BNP had won two seats at the European elections in June.

When filming was over, BBC Deputy Director General, Mark Byford, described the event as " scrutiny and democracy taking place. The programme was recorded as planned and we feel it was absolutely the right decision to go ahead with it. The due impartiality of the BBC is its central value, " he said.

October 23, 2009