BBC cut down their Christmas tree in 'embarrassing' decision

A Christmas tree is a heartening symbol of warmth and cheer in the deepening winter.

But this totem of festive joy did not last long on the cold concrete outside BBC headquarters.

A decked-out tree stood at the door of New Broadcasting House for just one week before it was cut up and carted off, with some perplexed members of staff at the corporation told it was a “security risk”.

Rather than the tree being relocated in one piece from the main entrance of broadcaster as it prepares for busy election night coverage, its baubled boughs were chopped up for apparent health and safety reasons on Saturday.

Some within the corporation are angered and embarrassed by a perceived disregard for both the environment and license fee payers’ money, and fear ordering then destroying the short-lived decoration makes the BBC look “stupid”.

On hearing the tree presented a “security risk” one member of staff questioned whether it was genuinely feared someone “could hide a bomb in it”.

Conifers of a similar height to the roughly 16ft specimen seen at the BBC can cost around £2000 fully decorated. The broadcaster refused to reveal how much it paid for its tree.

The corporation does not comment on security issues, but advised that it expects increased activity on the open square where the tree stood this week, where more space may be needed for the general election.

The broadcaster has promised a replacement for the evergreen, but some employees are disappointed with the waste.

“This is incredibly sad,” said one member of staff. “The tree took a long time to grow and it’s destruction shows such an utter disregard for the environment at a time when we are all doing so much to protect it.

“Not only that, but it’s a huge waste of licence fee payers' money.

“And it’s upset the staff massively. It’s just another embarrassing decision by the BBC, which makes us look stupid.”

The BBC newsroom’s Africa editor Will Ross took to twitter to share his views, saying: “The BBC’s Christmas Tree has had a traumatic day at the barbers. Security risk? Really?

“Sweeney Todd style barber - tree murdered.”

A senior journalist for the BBC, Vicky Baker, posted that the tree was a: “Security risk, apparently. No idea why they had to kill it so brutally though."

Another senior member of the editorial staff, Alex Humphreys, questioned: "If they didn't want it, why didn't they just plant it somewhere?". Jackie Leonard, of BBC World Service, simply posted an image of the Grinch with the caption: "I think we know who ordered that."

BBC Radio 2 presenter Ken Bruce was filmed at the weekend placing his own decorations on the lavishly decorated tree before it was taken away.

Staff believed the tree could be moved to accommodate graphics being projected onto the BBC building in central London during election night coverage on Thursday.

But some employees were told it posed a “security risk” when they asked why its branches were being sawed on Saturday, just a week after it had arrived at the premises in Marylebone.

When the time came to move the 16ft specimen it had to be dismembered, with health and safety reportedly prohibiting its removal in one piece.

Some members of staff asked if they could keep branches from the felled tree to make their own wreaths. One employee believes the BBC should apologise for destroying the festive flora by “offering to plant some trees”.

The BBC has not commented on whether health and safety rules resulted in the demise of the Christmas conifer, rather than it being moved intact, and does not comment on potential security issues.

It is understood election plans may have played a part in the decision to take down the tree which has dismayed staff.

A spokesman for the broadcaster said: “The tree has been removed due to activity on the piazza this week and will be replaced soon.”

The decision follows mockery of an “anaemic” tree in Trafalgar Square, which was gifted by Norway as a traditional thank you for British support during the Second World War. Its thinning branches were branded “embarrassing” by some passers-by.

A member of Westminster council, which takes delivery of the tree, explained that the spruce would not look like a regular family Christmas tree, as it stood at almost 80ft tall.

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