Israel halts 'Iran weapons shipment'

5 March 2014 Last updated at 14:22

Israel halts 'weapons shipment from Iran'

Israel said it seized Syrian-made rockets on board the ship

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Israel says it has seized a ship carrying advanced Iranian weapons made in Syria that was heading towards Gaza.

The Panamanian-flagged vessel was boarded by Israeli naval commandos in the Red Sea off the coast of Sudan, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

They found M-302 surface-to-surface missiles that were flown to Iran before being loaded onto the ship, it added.

Hamas, the militant Palestinian Islamist movement that governs Gaza, strenuously denied any involvement.

It accused Israel of concocting a story to "justify the blockade" of the coastal territory.

Israel tightly controls its border with Gaza, restricting what is allowed in for what it says are reasons crucial to its security. It also maintains a naval blockade. Egypt blockades Gaza's southern border.

Critics say the blockade is tantamount to collective punishment.

'Unaware of cargo'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the shipment was a "clandestine operation" by Iran, and added that the weapons would have been used against Israel.

The IDF said it had tracked the weapons for several months as they were flown from Damascus to Tehran and then taken to a port in southern Iran.

From there, it added, they were placed onto a civilian vessel, the KLOS-C, which sailed to Iraq, where containers of cement were added. The ship was eventually intercepted while on its way to Sudan.

The vessel is being brought to the Israeli port of Eilat, where the 17-member crew will be questioned and the weapons unloaded.

IDF spokesman Lt Col Peter Lerner said the crew had appeared to be unaware of their cargo and were not suspects.

The BBC's Yolande Knell in Jerusalem says Israeli television is showing footage of what appear to be commandos inspecting a large rocket in a ship's hold.

The IDF noted that this was not the first ship smuggling arms that it had stopped, but that it was "distinguished by the lethality and quality of its cargo".

News of the rockets being seized comes during the visit of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the US.

He has been pushing for tougher international action against Iran because of its controversial nuclear programme and support for militant groups, our correspondent adds.

The IDF said that the weapons were loaded in Damascus

Israel has accused Iran of arming groups such as Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah.

More than 60 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip have hit Israel since the start of last year, Israel says.

Hamas denies that it has fired any rockets since a 2012 ceasefire agreement with Israel, with other Gaza-based groups claiming responsibility.

However, Israel says it hold Hamas responsible for any attacks from Gaza and has repeatedly launched air strikes, causing several deaths of militants and civilians.

VIDEO: Meet the human hamster wheel artists

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Meet the human hamster wheel artists

5 March 2014 Last updated at 13:07 GMT

New York artist Alex Schweder talks about his latest piece of performance art, living inside a giant hamster wheel.

Ward Shelley and Schweder will be living inside the wheel for 10 days to illustrate people's interdependence.

The 25-foot-tall wood and steel structure is equipped with everything the duo need from beds, a kitchen and a toilet.

The two men must co-ordinate their movements while rotating the wheel, or risk being thrown off.

5 March 2014 Last updated at 15:00

Bank suspends worker in rigging probe

The UK's central bank is investigating whether staff knew about forex rigging

The Bank of England has suspended a member of staff after investigating potential rigging of the foreign exchange market.

The UK's central bank has been reviewing whether members of its staff knew about or condoned manipulation in currency markets.

It said there was no evidence Bank staff had colluded with such rigging.

However, Bank staff had to follow "rigorous internal control processes" and this compliance was under review.

It said no decision had been taken on disciplining any of its staff and declined to comment further.

It does not condone market-rigging "whatsoever", it said in a statement.

Allegations of currency market manipulation follow fines for lenders found to be manipulating or attempting to manipulate Libor, a rate at which banks lend to each other.

Banks including Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and UBS have been ordered to pay a total of $6bn of fines for Libor fixing.

`As bad' as Libor

The head of the Financial Conduct Authority, Martin Wheatley, said last month that currency manipulation was "every bit as bad" as the Libor scandal. He told MPs 10 banks were helping the regulator with its investigations.

Banks have paid $6bn for Libor rigging

Traders are alleged to have colluded in setting certain key exchange rates in the foreign exchange market.

The Bank of England is assessing whether their officials were involved in or knew about market fixing or the collusion which may have led to a rigged market, it said.

Travers Smith, a law firm, will prepare a report after the investigation. So far, the central bank has reviewed 15,000 emails, 21,000 chat room records and more than 40 hours of telephone recordings.

Banks knew of unusual currency trading at a key period during the trading day, four years before regulators began investigating manipulation of the so-called "London fix".

The "London fix" is an important rate, set by counting currency trades over a one-minute period at 16:00 local time.

Reports seen by the BBC show how bank analysts had noticed sharp movements in exchange rates.

Banks even warned their clients about trading at that time.

BBC to host Clegg v Farage TV debate

5 March 2014 Last updated at 11:48

BBC to host Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage TV debate

 

Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage are to go head-to-head on BBC television in a debate on Britain's future in Europe.

The hour-long debate will be shown on BBC2 from 7pm on Wednesday, 2 April, and will be hosted by David Dimbleby.

Mr Clegg's Liberal Democrats are the most pro-EU of the main parties at Westminster, while Mr Farage's UKIP advocates withdrawing from the EU.

They have been involved in a growing spat over the issue, ahead of May's European elections.

Last month, Mr Farage accepted Mr Clegg's invitation to a televised "open debate" on whether the UK should stay in the EU.

'Fantastic opportunity'

The BBC said the televised debate would take place in front of an audience "selected by a reputable polling organisation to be demographically representative and with an equal number of people for and against British membership of the EU". Questions will come from the audience members.

James Harding, Director of BBC News and Current Affairs, said: "We are delighted to have negotiated successfully to broadcast this important debate. Europe is always a highly charged issue in British politics and this is a fantastic opportunity to test the arguments."

Mr Clegg last month challenged the UKIP leader to a debate on his weekly phone-in programme on LBC radio, which will also host a clash between the two party leaders.

He said: "I will challenge Nigel Farage to a public, open debate about whether we should be in or out of the EU, because that is now the choice facing this country and he is the leader of the party of 'out'; I am the leader of the party of 'in'.

"I think it's time we now have a proper, public debate so that the public can listen to the two sides of the argument and judge from themselves."

'Needy for publicity'

In response, Mr Farage said he wanted the Conservative and Labour leaders to join in a four-man debate, which he suggested should take place during the European election campaign in April or May.

But he said he would take on the Lib Dem leader in a head-to-head debate even if the other party leaders declined.

The party leaders took part in a general election TV debate for the first time in 2010

Downing Street said David Cameron will not be taking part in the debate with Mr Farage and Mr Clegg.

A spokesman said the prime minister would be setting out his views on Europe during the European election campaign and did not want to start "another process", adding the Lib Dems were "a bit needy of publicity".

The Labour Party said the party's priority was to reach agreement on TV debates between the two prospective prime ministers ahead of the next election.

"Anything else will be a matter for negotiation after that is agreed," he added.

Leaders debates have long been a feature of election campaigns in the United States, but took place for the first time in Britain at the 2010 general election.

But there is some doubt over whether the exercise will be repeated in 2015, amid behind-the-scenes wrangling over the likely format and timing of the programmes and battles about who should be allowed to take part.

'Quite wrong'

The BBC's chief political correspondent Norman Smith said the debate between Mr Clegg and Mr Farage could encourage the party leaders to sign up to general election debates or, alternatively, "provide some room to argue against them".

UKIP is consistently ahead of the Lib Dems in national opinion polls, with Mr Farage claiming his party is in with a chance of topping the polls at the European elections.

The Liberal Democrat party president Tim Farron, by contrast, is warning his party it faces the "fight of their lives" to retain its 12 MEPs.

Republican candidate Mitt Romney clashed with Barack Obama in 2012

Mr Clegg, who has known Mr Farage since his days as an MEP, between 1999 and 2004, has opted to launch an all out attack on his Eurosceptic rivals, focusing on their voting record in Brussels and Strasbourg.

In a speech on the EU's role to the Centre for European Reform, Mr Clegg accused Mr Farage and his colleagues of failing to "stand up for Britain" in the European Parliament.

"Nigel Farage and deputy leader Paul Nuttall rarely turn up to vote in the European Parliament, despite being happy to take their taxpayer-funded salaries," he said.

"UKIP MEPs refuse to roll up their sleeves and get down to work. Nigel Farage hasn't tabled a single amendment to EU legislation since July 2009."

Mr Farage hit back at his rival's claims, saying: "Nick Clegg has some cheek raising attendance and voting records. Although Nick Clegg lives in London, between 2010 and 2014 he has voted in Westminster only 22.6% of the time.

"By contrast I live eight hours away from Strasbourg, lead a national party and have voted 55% of the time in the European Parliament."

He also said that the group of MEPs that he leads, the "Europe of Freedom and Democracy", had "put down hundreds of amendments since 2009, so factually Nick Clegg is quite wrong in what he's saying here".

He said he would use the TV debate with Mr Clegg as a "platform for the majority of British people who want our relationship with Europe to be one of trade and co-operation but not one of political union".

Clinton urges NI to 'finish the job'

5 March 2014 Last updated at 13:48

Bill Clinton says Northern Ireland must resolve outstanding issues

Former US President Bill Clinton told people to "finish the job" on peace

Former US President Bill Clinton has said Northern Ireland must "finish the job" and resolve the outstanding issues in its peace process.

During a speech at the Guildhall Square in Derry, he said countries around the world involved in conflict "looked to Northern Ireland for inspiration".

He also thanked former SDLP leader John Hume for his contribution to the peace process.

Earlier, he walked with Mr Hume across the city's Peace Bridge.

Mr Clinton told the audience that "you have to finish the job".

"There are still issues that remain unresolved in the 19 years since the ceasefire and 16 years since the Good Friday Agreement," he said.

"How that is resolved is not for me to say, it is for you."

Mr Clinton said "this town and John Hume's insistence on non-violence and the embrace of it ultimately by the other parties, notably Sinn Féin" served as an inspiration.

"We need to get the show on the road," he said.

"I implore you, for the sake of the young people and all of those who did so much for so long, like John Hume - finish the job."

Inspiration

Pointing to Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, Mr Clinton said he was struck by the Sinn Féin politician "bragging" while Stormont education minister about the work he was doing for Protestant children.

"You have inspired the world, you have to finish this," he said.

He finished his speech by saying: "I thank you for what you have done, my heart is with you always and you've given me one more day in Derry I will never forget."

Earlier, President Clinton met civic leaders in the city.

Mr Hume said he had the "greatest admiration" for the former president.

The Nobel Laureate said he was "deeply appreciative" for all the work President Clinton had done to help Northern Ireland.

"Bill Clinton had economic difficulties and international difficulties to deal with during his administration, yet he gave so much time to Northern Ireland and the peace process," Mr Hume said.

President Clinton was interrupted briefly by a man in the crowd who began shouting about Iraq.

Mr McGuinness said it was wonderful to see John Hume "honoured in this way".

"I think we all recognise the major role that John played with others in putting this peace process together, and I think for President Clinton to come and to walk across the peace bridge with him and Pat [Mr Hume's wife] is hugely symbolic," he said.

The former president also visited the University of Ulster's Magee campus during his visit to Londonderry.

Mr Clinton helped to launch Peacemaking In the Twenty-First Century, a new book celebrating a series of peace lectures given at the campus.

University of Ulster vice-chancellor Prof Richard Barnett said the university was "delighted to strengthen its links with President Clinton and to welcome him back to the city".

Mr Hume held the Tip O'Neill chair in peace studies at the University of Ulster from 2002 to 2009.

Later on Wednesday, Mr Clinton will be at Queen's University, Belfast (QUB), for the opening of a leadership institute named after him.

He is expected to meet Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Mr McGuinness before he delivers the inaugural William J Clinton lecture at the university.

'Historic occasion'

The event will be one of the first engagements for QUB's new vice-chancellor, Prof Patrick Johnston.

"This is a historic occasion for Queen's University Belfast," he said.

"It is also a proud moment for me as I begin my tenure as vice-chancellor and it is a landmark event in the life of Northern Ireland.

"We are honoured that President Clinton has given his name to our leadership institute and we are delighted that he has joined us in person to set the seal on that partnership."

Mr Clinton has previously described working on the Northern Ireland peace process as one of the "great honours" of his life.

His last trip to Northern Ireland was in 2010 when he outlined his ideas for building economic prosperity during a visit to Derry.

Birmingham's NEC put up for sale

5 March 2014 Last updated at 13:38

Birmingham's NEC Group put up for sale

The group supports the equivalent of 29,000 jobs, the city council says

Birmingham's NEC Group has been put up for sale by the city council.

The council, facing a £1.1bn bill for equal pay settlements, says it wants to ensure the existing uses are preserved.

The group is "vitally important" to the West Midlands economy, bringing in £2bn a year and supporting the equivalent of 29,000 jobs, the council said.

As well as the National Exhibition Centre, the group incorporates the International Convention Centre, the LG Arena and the National Indoor Arena.

The pay settlements have been agreed with thousands of women who, over many years, were paid less by the city council than workers - mainly men - who did equivalent jobs.

One law firm is dealing with about 5,000 cases.

A spokesman for law firm Leigh Day said it welcomed the news the council was seeking ways to raise funds to pay its clients.

The council said it would be inviting potential buyers to participate in a pre-qualification process for the NEC Group, which also includes national ticketing agency the Ticket Factory, hospitality company Amplify and its catering arm, Amadeus.

Sir Albert Bore, leader of the Labour-run council, said the key purpose of establishing the NEC Group had been to drive economic development and regeneration.

He said: "This has been achieved, but now the NEC Group has reached a point in its evolution where it needs to be able to adopt the financial disciplines of a private, rather than a council-owned, company to enable the next stage of strategic development."

The sale would have gone ahead regardless of the council's financial issues, he claimed.

The council said it intended to retain "claw-back rights" over potentially valuable land at the NEC site, next to where the HS2 Birmingham interchange could be built.

BBC correspondent Phil Mackie says the council has assets worth up to £6bn, which includes things it cannot sell because of the potential outcry, like the Town Hall, the council house and parks. Assets including housing stock, commercial land and shopping centres might also be offered for sale.

NEC Group chief operating officer John Hornby said the announcement was "good news".

"A move into private sector ownership will allow the management team to take the risks associated with developing a dynamic, privately-owned business, and supports our vision and ambition for future growth," he said.

The NEC Arena was renamed the LG Arena in 2008

However, Richard Taffler, professor of finance at Warwick Business School, said jobs could be put at risk.

"One can't trust private sector businesses to see the West Midlands economy as an important goal," he said.

"The problem with selling such a major driver of economic activity is that a private sector business would not be running the NEC group for the benefit of the broader community but for its own shareholders and to maximise profits. The private sector has very different goals to the city council."

In terms of who might be interested in buying the group, Professor Taffler said it was "wide open".

"It could be a conference centre management business or a private equity house," he said.

"It could be a property investment company or even the property arm of an investment bank. One would expect overseas companies to be interested, as well as local firms."

The National Exhibition Centre, which opened in 1976, is situated outside the city, close to Birmingham Airport, alongside the LG Arena. The ICC and NIA are in the city centre.

The International Convention Centre opened in 1991

5 March 2014 Last updated at 13:55

Barrage in £100m Somerset flood plan

A number of communities have seen their properties surrounded by water following some of the worst flooding ever seen in Somerset

A tidal barrage at Bridgwater and dredging on the Somerset Levels form part of a £100m plan to combat flooding, the BBC understands.

Villages on the Levels have been cut off for more than two months following the wettest winter on record.

Prime Minster David Cameron has said that "money is no object" in sorting out the current flooding problems.

Dozens have contributed to the 20-year Flood Action Plan, which is due to be presented to the government.

The draft report, seen by the BBC, goes in to detail on a number of measures to prevent a repeat of this winter's floods.

It lists actions that could either help prevent flooding, or reduce the impact when it happens, and gives some idea of costs and ease with which they could be done.

The government has already pledged £10m in support for Somerset, but the report suggests 10 times that amount will be needed over the next decade alone.

The road to Muchelney has been flooded since the end of December

The plan includes a barrage across the River Parrett downstream of Bridgwater, to hold back the highest tides - but estimates it would be 15 years before that would be built.

It also suggests that the A361 and routes into cut-off communities - including Muchelney - are raised, but adds that this will require further investigation.

The report includes plans previously announced to dredge five miles (8km) of the rivers Tone and Parrett - restoring them to their condition in the 1960s.

It estimates this should start at the end of the month and that it will cost more than £5.5m and then £1.2m each year to maintain.

It also includes repairs to around 28 miles of flood-affected roads, resurfacing them with more flood resilient material and looking at making the pumps at Dunball and Beer Wall permanent to help clear water more quickly.

More than two months after the Somerset Levels first flooded large areas remain under water

The 23 page Somerset Levels and Moors Flood Action Plan has been pulled together by Somerset County Council, the Environment Agency, residents and other interested parties.

They have also called on the government to look at who manages the water system and how it is all paid for.

The report is expected to be delivered to Environment Minister Owen Paterson on Thursday.

Top diplomats seek Ukraine solution

5 March 2014 Last updated at 15:02

Top diplomats seek Ukraine solution in Paris talks

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The BBC's Ben Brown says Russian forces prevented him from speaking to Ukrainian staff at the gates

Continue reading the main story

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has begun talks with US counterpart John Kerry and key EU ministers to try to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

The US wants independent observers in the flashpoint region of Crimea and direct talks between Kiev and Moscow.

Russia is likely to call for greater representation for Ukraine's Russian-speaking areas in the Kiev government.

The EU earlier offered 11bn euros ($15bn; £9bn) in aid to Ukraine and froze the assets of 18 Ukrainians.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the package of loans and grants over the next couple of years was "designed to assist a committed, inclusive and reforms-oriented government" in Kiev.

Ukraine's finance ministry has predicted it needs $35bn to rescue its economy.

In other developments in Ukraine:

• The national flag is once again flying over the administrative headquarters in Donetsk, replacing the Russian flag hoisted there five days ago. The building was evacuated after an apparent bomb threat
• In Crimea, pro-Russian demonstrators have turned away families bringing food and supplies to Ukrainian troops refusing to surrender their bases
• Russian forces have seized two Ukrainian missile-defence sites in Crimea, according to unconfirmed reports

'Bad example'

Mr Lavrov and Mr Kerry, along with several EU foreign ministers, met on the sidelines of a long-planned conference on Lebanon in Paris.

Nato and Russia are also due to hold parallel talks in Brussels.

The Paris gathering is being seen above all as a chance to test the waters for a dialogue about Ukraine, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall.

But UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said the Russians had already failed to appear at one meeting with the Ukrainians in Paris so he was "not optimistic" of making progress later.

"If we cannot make progress on that course there will be costs and consequences," he said, in reference to a threat of sanctions by the US and EU.

Troops believed to be Russian servicemen are in control of Ukrainian military bases in Crimea

Mourners at Kiev's Independence Square remember the 88 protesters who died in clashes with police

Donetsk's regional government headquarters was emptied of pro-Russian activists

Earlier, Mr Lavrov underlined Moscow's differences with Western nations, accusing them of setting a bad example by supporting protesters - some of whom now make up the government - in their "armed coup d'etat".

But he did stress that Russia would "not allow bloodshed", adding: "We will not allow attempts against the lives and wellbeing of those who live in Ukraine and Russian citizens who live in Ukraine."

He also said it was up to the people of Ukraine and Crimea to decide if they wanted international monitors.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) later confirmed that it had sent 35 unarmed military monitors - from 18 European countries - to Ukraine in response to a request from Kiev. It was not clear if they would be deployed to Crimea.

Mr Lavrov also insisted Moscow had no power to remove what it calls "self-defence forces" currently guarding key sites in Crimea, explaining that they were not Russian troops.

Personnel from the Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet - which is based at the Crimean port city of Sevastopol - were in their normal positions, he added, while admitting Moscow had taken "additional special steps to raise awareness and tighten security" at its base.

While visiting Kiev on Tuesday, Mr Kerry condemned what he called Russia's "act of aggression" and praised the "restraint" of Ukraine's interim government.

He has said he wants to see the crisis managed through international institutions such as the OSCE.

Moscow has been calling for a return to an agreement reached on 21 February with the then President Viktor Yanukovych and the opposition.

Russian FM Sergei Lavrov accused protesters of conducting an "armed coup-d'etat"

This agreement included constitutional reform that would fully take into account the interests of all regions of Ukraine - giving the Russian-speaking areas in the east more influence and greater legal protection.

This, says the BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow, would give Russia more leverage over the future direction of Ukraine.

Moscow has strongly condemned the recent change of government in Ukraine, which came after months of street protests, more than 90 deaths and the flight of President Yanukovych, a Russian ally.

Since his fall, Moscow has retained de facto control of Ukraine's southern autonomous region of Crimea.

Pro-Russian troops in unmarked uniforms began taking control of strategic points on Saturday.

Troops are surrounding Ukrainian military bases and other installations, while two Ukrainian warships are reported to be blocked by a Russian ship in Sevastopol's harbour.

Tweets

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  "He's my friend & I can't think he's now my enemy" - Ukrainian officer tries to understand this crisis by @abdujalil http://t.co/JdtXU8LIU5

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  Astonishingly Orwellian obfuscation: Russian defence minister calls reports of Russian troops in Crimea "provocation" http://t.co/uiC5nSjOQ6

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5 March 2014 Last updated at 14:58

BBC Three to be axed as on-air channel

 

Gavin and Stacey has been among the digital channel's biggest successes

BBC Three is to be dropped from TV schedules and will move online, as part of the BBC's cost-cutting plans.

It means shows such as Don't Tell The Bride and Pramface will only be available through the iPlayer, rather than Freeview, satellite or cable.

The BBC will make an official announcement on Thursday, media correspondent David Sillito said.

Celebrities are already rallying behind the service. Matt Lucas said the move would be "really bad for new comedy".

The BBC's decision follows a speech given by director general Tony Hall last week, in which he said "tough choices" would have to be made if the corporation was to meet its savings target.

"We are in the final stages of a budget process to find an extra £100m of savings," he said at the Oxford Media Convention. "I will announce the outcome of those decisions in the next month."

Reality show Don't Tell The Bride sees a groom choose every detail of his wedding, from the venue to the wedding dress, without consulting his wife-to-be

It is something of a turnaround for Lord Hall, who said in October: "I wouldn't consider closing a channel".

"The public feel very strongly about all the services the BBC runs," he told the World At One. "We have to find other ways [of saving money]".

Before moving BBC Three online, however, the director general must get approval from the BBC Trust, the corporation's governing body, which represents the interests of licence fee payers.

'Sizeable step'

The futures of both BBC Three and BBC Four have been much discussed as the corporation continues to implement its savings plans.

According to industry newspaper Broadcast, moving BBC Three online "would amount to a sizeable step" towards delivering Lord Hall's £100m savings target by 2016.

The channel's service budget was £85m in 2013/14 - although moving the channel online would not eradicate those costs entirely.

"If they want to save money, there will certainly be less programming coming from the BBC Three brand," our media correspondent said.

However, he added, the move to iPlayer would make sense for the station's target audience of 16-34 year-olds.

"Increasingly, it's thought the youth audience are switching to accessing content online. They're watching in their bedrooms and watching on tablet devices."

The move follows the BBC's decision to broadcast select TV shows online ahead of their scheduled TV transmission, among them the latest sitcom from comedian Peter Kay.

Youth channel Radio 1 will also launch as an in-vision channel on iPlayer this September.

'Vital service'

Since its launch in 2003, BBC Three has been the birthplace of numerous ratings successes, including Little Britain, Torchwood, Being Human and Gavin and Stacey.

Little Britain transferred to BBC One after finding success on BBC Three

These were among the shows singled out by Little Britain star Lucas in a tweet proclaiming the channel to be "the home of new comedy and drama".

His sentiments were echoed by comedian Jack Whitehall: "I really hope reports that the BBC may kill BBC3 are just rumours. Their support of new comedy in particular is vital."

Comedian Russell Kane, who presents stand-up show Live At The Electric on BBC Three, said the channel "provides a vital part of the entertainment portfolio of the BBC".

"It's not necessarily a youth channel, but it is younger-skewed. I don't see why it should be cut because people who are younger have quieter voices in the political process."

BBC Three's own Twitter feed also joined the protest, posting on Tuesday night: Who knew people love BBC Three more than pancakes?! Feeling loved. #SaveBBC3".

The BBC has previously reversed decisions to close its 6 Music and Asian Network radio services after concerted campaigning by supporters.

However, it has closed several foreign language sections of the BBC World Service, with the loss of more than 650 jobs since 2011.