Council Asks BBC to Move Episode of Question Time

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Calls for mass protest spark fears over public safety

Hammersmith and Fulham Council is demanding that the BBC move a controversial episode of panel show Question Time out of the borough.

The episode, featuring British National Party Leader Nick Griffin, is due to be filmed at the BBC TV Centre in Wood Lane on Thursday October 22. But fears over public safety are growing after the distribution of thousands of leaflets across London calling for a mass public protest to be held outside the centre.

The council says it is seriously concerned that local residents will pay the price of any disruption and has written to BBC Director General Mark Thompson asking for the programme to be moved to a "less urban venue where a major demonstration is more manageable".

Cllr Greg Smith, Cabinet Member for Crime & Street Scene, says: " This is not about politics but about ensuring that our residents, businesses and visitors are protected from any protests as a result of a programme that the BBC has decided to hold.

" We are seriously concerned that a major demonstration – prompted by the guests on the Question Time panel – represents a significant threat to public safety.

" Inevitably, it will be our residents whose lives are most adversely affected if the filming is not moved. TV Centre is not an appropriate venue for this event given the circumstances and we are putting the interests of our residents first. "

Wood Lane is one of the borough’s major arterial routes and, together with White City and Wood Lane stations, is relied on by thousands of residents as well as visitors to the Westfield shopping centre and other local businesses. Some leaflets are calling for pickets of BBC TV Centre from 9am onwards.

Cllr Smith adds: " If the BBC refuses to move the filming out of TV Centre we are demanding that they stump up the cash for the robust policing operation that, unquestionably, will be needed.

" The safety and protection of our residents, businesses and visitors to the borough is paramount."

 

October 14, 2009