BROADCASTERS and journalists at BBC South East's studios in Tunbridge Wells today joined colleagues across the country in a 20-minute walk-out.

They were protesting at the threat of political interference in the way stories are sourced and presented following criticism in Lord Hutton's recent inquiry into the Government's dossier on Iraq (Nigel Jarrett writes).

Michael Bath, the National Union of Journalists' deputy father of the chapel (deputy branch chairman) at Tunbridge Wells, said: "We believe the the future independence of the BBC and its journalism are seriously under threat.

"Whatever the rights and wrongs, the BBC was right to run the story on the government's dossier in the public interest and right to protect the anonymity of their source.

"The BBC must mount a robust defence of its journalism and its independence. We have to have the right to use material given to us by anonymous sources."

Mr Bath, who has worked for the Corporation for 24 years, said many had been angered by acting chairman Lord Ryder's unequivocal apology for BBC mistakes and saw it as caving in to Government pressure.

During the protest, timed to keep interference to broadcasting to a minimum while still making their point, the BBC workers displayed posters and gave out handbills highlighting their concerns.