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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Protests ahead of BNP appearance | Protests ahead of BNP appearance |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Anti-fascist protesters broke into BBC Television centre ahead of British National Party leader Nick Griffin's appearance on Question Time. | Anti-fascist protesters broke into BBC Television centre ahead of British National Party leader Nick Griffin's appearance on Question Time. |
| About 25 people were thrown out by police after breaking through a gate at the main entrance. | About 25 people were thrown out by police after breaking through a gate at the main entrance. |
| There are several hundred protesters outside the West London building. | There are several hundred protesters outside the West London building. |
| Deputy director general Mark Byford earlier defended the BBC's decision saying it was part of the corporation's "responsibility of due impartiality". | Deputy director general Mark Byford earlier defended the BBC's decision saying it was part of the corporation's "responsibility of due impartiality". |
| If there is a case for censorship, it should be debated and decided in Parliament. Political censorship cannot be outsourced to the BBC or anyone else Mark ThompsonBBC director general Read Mark Thompson's article Profile: Nick Griffin | If there is a case for censorship, it should be debated and decided in Parliament. Political censorship cannot be outsourced to the BBC or anyone else Mark ThompsonBBC director general Read Mark Thompson's article Profile: Nick Griffin |
| Mr Griffin is now inside television centre after being driven in through another entrance. | Mr Griffin is now inside television centre after being driven in through another entrance. |
| As he walked towards the studio for the recording, he said he expected it to be a "fair old political rough and tumble". | As he walked towards the studio for the recording, he said he expected it to be a "fair old political rough and tumble". |
| He earlier accused the protesters of "attacking the rights of millions of people to listen to what I've got to say and listen to me being called to account by other politicians," adding: "It really is a disgraceful thing." | He earlier accused the protesters of "attacking the rights of millions of people to listen to what I've got to say and listen to me being called to account by other politicians," adding: "It really is a disgraceful thing." |
| But Weyman Bennett from Unite Against Fascism accused the BBC of "rolling out the red carpet" to Mr Griffin and said his appearance on the flagship discussion programme "will lead to the growth of a fascist party" and promote violence against ethnic minorities. | But Weyman Bennett from Unite Against Fascism accused the BBC of "rolling out the red carpet" to Mr Griffin and said his appearance on the flagship discussion programme "will lead to the growth of a fascist party" and promote violence against ethnic minorities. |
| Piers Morgan | Piers Morgan |
| The number of protesters gathered outside the BBC building has been growing as the recording of the Thursday night political discussion show approaches. | The number of protesters gathered outside the BBC building has been growing as the recording of the Thursday night political discussion show approaches. |
| Protesters were removed from TV centre by police | Protesters were removed from TV centre by police |
| At about 1630 BST security guards opened a gate to let a car into the front car park when about 25 people rushed forward and jumped over the barriers, one of which broke, and ran towards the building. | At about 1630 BST security guards opened a gate to let a car into the front car park when about 25 people rushed forward and jumped over the barriers, one of which broke, and ran towards the building. |
| A few minutes later the individuals were seen being led, dragged or carried back outside. | A few minutes later the individuals were seen being led, dragged or carried back outside. |
| The Metropolitan Police say three people have been arrested, and estimate there are about 500 people taking part in the demonstration. | The Metropolitan Police say three people have been arrested, and estimate there are about 500 people taking part in the demonstration. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYIf Nick Griffin's appearance on Question Time has the ultimate effect of shaking the 'great' british public free of their political apathy and encourages them to ask probing questions, then his appearance will be a good thingJohn Walker, Belfast Send us your comments | |
| Lukas Keudic, 20, a student at King's College London, was one of those who managed to get to the doors of the studio where the controversial debate is due to be held later. | Lukas Keudic, 20, a student at King's College London, was one of those who managed to get to the doors of the studio where the controversial debate is due to be held later. |
| He said: "We were in the main reception next to Piers Morgan when about 30 police officers turned up. There were about 10 to 20 of us and we were just standing there chanting in a peaceful protest. | He said: "We were in the main reception next to Piers Morgan when about 30 police officers turned up. There were about 10 to 20 of us and we were just standing there chanting in a peaceful protest. |
| "We spoke to the police and they started grabbing us." | "We spoke to the police and they started grabbing us." |
| Gordon Brown | Gordon Brown |
| Speaking before the violence erupted, one of the protesters, Francis Pilling, 47, who works with immigrants and asylum seekers, said: "I'm here because I'm a committed anti-racist. We have to learn the lessons of history - we've seen what can happen when fascists gain strength." | Speaking before the violence erupted, one of the protesters, Francis Pilling, 47, who works with immigrants and asylum seekers, said: "I'm here because I'm a committed anti-racist. We have to learn the lessons of history - we've seen what can happen when fascists gain strength." |
| There are also protests currently taking place outside BBC buildings in Bristol, Liverpool, Nottingham, Glasgow, where security staff and police officers stopped them from entering the building, and Belfast. | |
| Earlier on Thursday BBC director general Mark Thompson said it was up to the government to ban the BNP from the airwaves if it felt Mr Griffin should not be allowed to take part in Question Time. | Earlier on Thursday BBC director general Mark Thompson said it was up to the government to ban the BNP from the airwaves if it felt Mr Griffin should not be allowed to take part in Question Time. |
| Some high profile Labour politicians - including cabinet ministers Peter Hain and Alan Johnson - have said they opposed the BBC decision to allow the anti-immigrant party a place on Question Time. | Some high profile Labour politicians - including cabinet ministers Peter Hain and Alan Johnson - have said they opposed the BBC decision to allow the anti-immigrant party a place on Question Time. |
| But Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it was a matter for the corporation and he did not want to interfere with it, while Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said that most of the cabinet did not share Mr Hain's view. | But Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it was a matter for the corporation and he did not want to interfere with it, while Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said that most of the cabinet did not share Mr Hain's view. |
| Deputy Director General Mark Byford earlier defended the BBC's decision to invite Mr Griffin, whose party gained its first Euro MPs this year, on to the flagship political programme. | Deputy Director General Mark Byford earlier defended the BBC's decision to invite Mr Griffin, whose party gained its first Euro MPs this year, on to the flagship political programme. |
| He said: "They should have the right to be heard, be challenged, and for the public who take part in Question Time and the viewers to make up their own minds about the views of the BNP. It's not for the BBC to censor and say they can't be on." | He said: "They should have the right to be heard, be challenged, and for the public who take part in Question Time and the viewers to make up their own minds about the views of the BNP. It's not for the BBC to censor and say they can't be on." |
| The panel also includes Justice Secretary Jack Straw, Conservative shadow community cohesion minister Baroness Warsi, Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne and playwright and critic Bonnie Greer. | |
| You can watch Question Time on BBC One at 2235 BST and on the BBC News website. |