Protesters scuffle with police at studios where Loose Women was being filmed

Ted Hennessey
Updated

Protesters have clashed with police as they attempted to gain entry to TV studios where the ITV show Loose Women was being filmed.

Videos posted on social media appeared to show officers battling to keep a large crowd from entering the BBC’s old headquarters in White City, west London.

The crowd, thought to be anti-vaccination protesters, could be heard shouting and chanting at the officers, who formed a wall in front on the studios.

They started at Shepherds Bush Green at around 1pm on Monday before making the short journey to the Studioworks site.

Some could be seen wearing masks while others had their hoods up as scuffles with police began.

Officers could be seen clutching batons as some protesters ended up on the floor, though no arrests were made, according to police.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 2021/08/09: Protesters chant slogans outside Studioworks during the demonstration. Protesters gathered outside Studioworks to show their dismay against the BBC media bias, covid restrictions, vaccine passports and the loss of freedom under the Coronavirus Act. They intend to block Studioworks in Wood Lane until the government listen to their concerns. (Photo by Martin Pope/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

An officer sustained a “minor” facial injury during the demonstration and this is being investigated, the Metropolitan Police said.

Television presenter Charlene White said on the social networking website the protest occurred while Loose Women was live on air.

She tweeted: “Huge thanks to Andy and the security team over at Television Centre.

“The protesters attempted to gain access to the building while we were live on air with @loosewomen – and we’ve only just left, because of safety.

“Andy and his team were just incredible, thank-you xx.”

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 2021/08/09: Police officers stop protesters from accessing Studioworks during the demonstration. Protesters gathered outside Studioworks to show their dismay against the BBC media bias, covid restrictions, vaccine passports and the loss of freedom under the Coronavirus Act. They intend to block Studioworks in Wood Lane until the government listen to their concerns. (Photo by Martin Pope/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

She later added: “And also huge thanks to the swift response of London’s @metpoliceuk … not an easy situation for them to deal with either.

“Not sure what protesters were hoping to achieve, but all they would’ve found was me, Jane, Nadia and Penny on @loosewomen talking about the menopause.”

Some of the demonstrators later made it to the BBC’s current headquarters in Portland Place, police said, but left hours later.

No arrests have been made.

A Met spokeswoman said in relation to the gathering outside the old headquarters: “A police officer sustained a minor facial injury during the earlier demonstration in White City. This will be investigated.”

ITV has been approached for comment.

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