Hundreds of anti-vaccine protesters have stormed a building containing the headquarters of ITN, the company that produces ITV news and Channel 4 News, in central London.
Footage shared on social media showed people gathering inside the building on Grays Inn Road on Monday, while police were seen outside the building.
Veteran Channel 4 presenter Jon Snow could also be seen outside the building and MP David Lammy denounced abuse directed towards him as “horrendous”.
This is horrendous. @jonsnowC4 is one of the UK’s finest broadcasters - but all journalists should be free to do their jobs without harassment, intimidation or abuse. pic.twitter.com/oTf5nxCwaz
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 23, 2021
One witness wrote: “200 Anti covid vaccine protesters storm ITV studies [sic] on Gray Inn Road, London - The Police couldn’t stop them and don’t seem to have a plan to get them out”.
200 Anti covid vaccine protesters storm ITV studies on Gray Inn Road, London - The Police couldn’t stop them and don’t seem to have a plan to get them out pic.twitter.com/IKYTWSLCkp
— Paul Brown 🇬🇧 Browns fan🏈 London News 🎥Vlogger (@PaulBrown_UK) August 23, 2021
In a statement to the Standard, the Metropolitan Police said: “Officers are responding to a demonstration at a private premises on Grays 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.”
This isn’t the first time anti-vaxxers have stormed media headquarters.
Protesters were seen clashing with police at the BBC’s former HQ in London earlier this month.
Social media was awash with videos that captured the protests unfolding in White City on August 9.
One eyewitness wrote on social media: “Official Voice protesters against vaccine passports and vaccination of children try storming the BBC studios at white city.”
An ITN spokesperson said: “The police are attending a breach of security at Grays’ Inn Road, ITN’s headquarters. ITN take such breaches very seriously.
“The safety of our staff and journalists is of paramount importance. All personnel have been advised to either stay in the building or stay away while the situation is being dealt with.”
