BBC headquarters coated in red paint after backlash to Israel war coverage
The BBC's London headquarters has been doused in red paint.
Journalist Victoria Derbyshire shared footage of the vandalised front of Broadcasting House as she arrived at work on Saturday morning.
Paint was daubed over the revolving glass doors, floors and brickwork at Portland Place - prompting stunned reactions from BBC staff. The piazza was closed off, with metal barriers in place behind yellow cleaning in progress warning signs.
It's currently unknown whether the vandalism is related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, but protests are scheduled in London and other cities across the UK for later today. The BBC has come under fire in the last week after refusing to brand Hamas 'terrorists' amid the conflict between the group and Israel.
Broadcaster and radio DJ Edward Adoo also shared pictures of the paint-covered offices saying: "Just got to the BBC the main entrance is blocked someone sprayed red paint at the entrance."
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A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We are aware of criminal damage to a building in Portland Place, W1A. At this stage there is no suggestion this is linked to any protest group."
Thousands of people are expected to march in solidarity with Palestine and demand Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian land, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Starting at Portland Place at 12pm, protesters will march through London before finishing in Whitehall at about 3pm.
Israel has been pounding Gaza with airstrikes since Hamas militants carried out an unprecedented cross-border attack, killing more than 1,300 people. The Israeli military said early on Friday that the approximately 1.1 million people in northern Gaza “should relocate to southern Gaza” within 24 hours, which the humanitarian office of the United Nations said was “impossible”.
(Twitter/@vicderbyshire)During reports on the conflict, the BBC has refused to call Hamas 'terrorists', prompting backlash from the public.
Explaining the decision, a BBC spokesperson said this week: "Our coverage of the unprecedented assault on Israel by Hamas has made clear the nature of the atrocities committed and the impact this has had on civilians,’ the statement began.
"Across our reporting we have explained that Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by many Western governments, including the UK. We have reflected the response from the international community to Hamas’ actions, and featured contributors who have described them as terrorists.
"We have given careful consideration to all aspects of our reporting of the Israel-Gaza conflict, both in terms of Hamas’ attacks and Israel’s response – this includes the language that we use. The BBC is editorially independent; our role is to explain precisely what is happening so that the public can make their own judgements.
"Our longstanding position, including during previous conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, has been that we do not use the term “terrorist” without attribution, in line with the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines."
The Metropolitan Police Service has confirmed the deployment of more than 1,000 officers to police the pro-Palestinian demonstration in London today. Waving a proscribed flag in support of Hamas or other proscribed organisations at the protest will be an offence.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the UK was doing “everything we can to ensure the security of British citizens" after the Defence Secretary said it seemed “very likely” that there are British hostages in Gaza.
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No 10 announced this week that £3 million in extra funding will be given to provide the Jewish community with additional protection, with strengthened security at schools and synagogues. A small number of schools in north London were closed due to safety fears on Friday.
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