Proms Disrupted By Palestine Demonstration

A Proms performance by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra has been disrupted by protesters.

Coverage of the concert on Radio 3 had to be suspended after 13 demonstrators unfurled banners and sang a 'Free Palestine' song as the performance, at the Royal Albert Hall, was about to start.

The audience then responded by shouting "out, out, out" at the group, who were removed by security.

The group, believed to be called BDS, continued its protest outside the Albert Hall, however.

The BBC had faced calls to abandon the performance on Thursday night from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

The group claimed the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) showed "complicity in whitewashing Israel's persistent violations of international law and human rights".

A BBC spokeswoman confirmed there had been a disruption during the performance, but that the live broadcast had been taken off air on Radio 3.

The BBC Proms team tweeted: "We're sorry that the concert was taken off air following hall disturbance.

"Glad both pieces were heard by the audience in the RAH."