Anti-vaccine protesters have stormed the London headquarters of production company ITN, which produces ITV News, Channel 4 News and Channel 5 News.
It’s reported that more than 100 protesters managed to gain access to the building in Gray’s Inn Road, central London.
Footage on social media showed several dozen protesters in a tussle with police who attempted to block the entrance, with one clip showing veteran news anchor Jon Snow being abused by the crowd.
Image:
Footage from inside the ITN reception area shows a large crowd of protesters with police. Pic: Carl Nasman
The Metropolitan Police said: “Officers are responding to a demonstration at a private premises on Gray’s Inn Road, Camden, where people have unlawfully gained access to the building.
“Officers are on scene engaging with building security and removing those who have gained entry.”
An ITN spokeswoman said: “The police are attending a breach of security at Gray’s Inn Road, ITN’s headquarters.
“ITN staff including those working in ITV News, Channel 4 News and 5 News have been advised to either stay in the building or stay away while the situation is being dealt with.
“News organisations have provided a vital source of information during the pandemic.
“The abuse of journalists because of their reporting on coronavirus is a worrying development which ITN has been closely monitoring and actively ensuring staff are aware of precautions to avoid coming to any harm.
“This action resulted in journalists being prevented from being able to go about their newsgathering activities, something that ITN strongly condemns.”
Dozens of anti-vaccine passport protesters currently occupying the ITN building in central London. They breached the lobby despite police presence. pic.twitter.com/MX4YBnDVJi
— Carl Nasman (@CarlNasman) August 23, 2021
Witnesses including staff tweeted images and videos from the scene.
In one video, protesters can be heard saying they won’t leave until they “speak to the boss”.
Carl Nasman tweeted: “Dozens of anti-vaccine passport protesters currently occupying the ITN building in central London. They breached the lobby despite police presence.”
ITV correspondent Dan Rivers tweeted an image of a large crowd of protesters gathered in the reception area, and said: “Protesters have just entered the reception of ITN. Heavy police presence here now.”
Officers are responding to a demonstration at a private premises on Gray’s Inn Road, #Camden where people have unlawfully gained access to the building. Officers are on scene engaging with building security and removing those who have gained entry.
— Metropolitan Police Events (@MetPoliceEvents) August 23, 2021
The protesters are thought to have forced their way into the building following an anti-vaccination passport and anti-lockdown protest in central London.
It comes just weeks after anti-vaccine protesters tried to storm what they thought was a BBC building in west London, only to find out that the broadcaster had long vacated the site.
https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-channel-4s-jon-snow-abused-as-anti-vaccine-protesters-storm-hq-of-uk-news-programmes-12388832
