MORE than 16,000 people have signed a petition urging the BBC to reverse its decision to stop broadcasting the Scottish Government’s daily coronavirus updates.

Last night it emerged the broadcaster will no longer show all of Nicola Sturgeon’s briefings, and instead provide coverage of conferences based on their “editorial merit”.

The briefing will continue to be streamed by the Scottish Government online.

The BBC stressed it would take a “consistent approach to coverage of the various government briefings across the UK nations”.

READ MORE: BBC to stop broadcasting all of Nicola Sturgeon's coronavirus briefings

It comes after Labour and Tory politicians complained to the broadcaster that they are “indulging” the First Minister by showing her “party political broadcasts”.

Scottish ministers have always denied there being any political elements to the briefings, calling these claims “pathetic”.

Now a change.org petition aims to bring in signatures to show the public demand for the briefings to continue as the UK sees a rise in coronavirus cases.

Laura McNeill launched the petition, writing: “The Scottish Government Covid-19 Briefings have been and still are an essential tool in dealing with this public health crisis, used to convey important information to the people of this country. To deny that is to put the country at a serious risk.

“We have no control over broadcasting rights and no national media and not everyone has access to internet. The BBC are causing an issue where the only one should be that of public health.

READ MORE: BBC Scotland blasted for 'baffling' decision to axe coronavirus briefings

“Let them know you will not accept this. Please sign and share.”

At the time of writing more than 16,000 people have signed the petition calling for the change in just a few hours.

The BBC’s decision has sparked outrage, with politicians, public health experts and members of the public speaking out against it.

A BBC Scotland spokesman said: "We will continue to provide extensive coverage of the government press conferences across our news services, including live streaming online.

"We will of course consider showing press conferences live when any major developments or updates are anticipated."