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BBC’s Nick Robinson rips up anti-war placard
Video: BBC political editor was angry at interference with his coverage of the spending review
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson has said he "regrets" losing his temper and ripping up an anti-war placard outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday.
Robinson was delivering a report on the coalition government's spending review in Parliament Square. As he summed up his take on the cuts, an anti-war protester held up a placard behind him that read: 'Cut the war not the poor... Bring our troops home now'.
Robinson calmly finished his report and then, equally calmly, took hold of the placard, broke it in two and began stamping on it.
Robinson's revenge was caught on video by an onlooker who shouted repeatedly: "You should be ashamed of yourself, mate."
The BBC's political editor walked off, telling the righteous citizen
journalist: "I'm not remotely ashamed of myself. Why should I be ashamed of myself?"
But after a night's reflection, Robinson appears to have relented, writing on his blog yesterday: "I lost my temper and I regret that.
"However, as I explained afterwards to the protesters who disrupted my broadcast, there are many opportunities to debate whether the troops should be out of Afghanistan without the need to stick a sign on a long pole and wave it in front of a camera."
Maybe the outburst was understandable given the story Robinson was reporting. Chancellor George Osborne had just announced the licence fee - the BBC's primary source of funding - was to be frozen for six years. ·
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Very understandable reaction. He is explaining the spending review and there are no cuts for the war and no breaks for the poor. If the poster had read "More poor and more war", I think he would have smiled as it would reflect the reality.
I think it's more a case of him needing to create news about himself for his own 'brand' as these reporters seem to muddle their own job up with being seen as someone important.
Journalists who leave the sheltered safety of their studios and venture into public space should tolerate other people peacefully expressing their opinions (and their analysis). If the placard was distracting, viewers were free to listen to the report with their eyes closed or diverted from the screen.
Nick Robinson's apology was half-hearted and I wonder whether he will be charged with criminal damage. I certainly hope he faces disciplinary action at the BBC for acting in an unprofessional manner whilst carrying out his duties.
Nick Robinson is a tory supporter - something that became abundantly clear during coverage of the general election. Don't get me wrong, he is a good reporter and analyst but this latest outburst isnt that surprising.
A comical tantrum! Maybe he's a prime candidate for the redundancy list...