At least 30 anti-British National Party protesters break into BBC Television Centre

Around 30 people rushed through the main gates of the BBC’s broadcasting headquarters in West London. Ten were dragged out of the car park by police officers but at least 20 more made it inside the building where the leader of the British National Party will take part in the political panel show tonight.

The protests come as the Cabinet are divided over Mr Griffin’s appearance alongside Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary. Peter Hain, the Welsh Secretary, made a last-ditch attempt to stymie BNP participation while The Times understands that Ben Bradshaw, the Culture Secretary, was also against the planned broadcast.

As several hundred protesters blocked the road outside Television Centre, delaying his arrival, Mr Griffin criticised the security operation.

“It seems the police do not have this mob under control,” he said. “The protesters have got no right to try to interfere with the democratic process through use of force.”

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