HUNDREDS of Yes voters gathered outside BBC Scotland’s headquarters last night to send a “bold statement” to the broadcaster before it U-turned on its decision to cut coronavirus briefings.

Around 300 independence supporters turned up to Glasgow’s Pacific Quay at 5.30pm for the socially-distanced rally organised by pro-independence group All Under One Banner.

In a bid to tackle the spread of Covid-19 those attending the rally had to register in advance with participants asked to wear face coverings, with AUOB also having face masks and antibacterial hand gel ready. 

Campaigners had originally planned a demonstration to take place at George Square but relocated following the decision from the BBC to stop showing briefings led by Nicola Sturgeon.

READ MORE: BBC Scotland U-turns on Nicola Sturgeon's coronavirus briefings

A small group of around 10 Unionists tried to interrupt speakers but Yessers started chanting “cheerio” to drown them out.

AUOB boss Neil Mackay said: “We had about 500 people register and on the day about 300 people turned up.

“I kind of thank the counter protesters for turning up because they make it and give an energy with the conflict that’s part of the independence campaign on the opposite side.

“We’ve made a bold statement today and that certainly has been noticed .

He said he didn’t expect the BBC to U-turn on the briefings, adding: “It was possible maybe in the run up to the rally they might have tried to diffuse this by a token remark or gesture but it was good that they hadn’t actually because then we were able to come with the stance that they need to restart them now.”

Martin Housden, who is from London, said Westminster shouldn't "have a say in whether Scotland has a referendum or not".

He added: "I think Scotland has a right to stay in the European Union. I don't think the English Government has got any moral right to say anything to anybody quite honestly. I want to show my support."

Sheena Stephen said she has sympathy for the BBC but the decision to cut down the briefings was due to "political pressure".

"[Labour MSP] Jackie Baillie and Lord Foulkes both admitted that they put pressure on the BBC to axe the First Minister because she was getting too much exposure and the ratings for independence are going up," she said.

"The UK Governement is dying a slow death and they know that. They are going to bring in their big guns to stop free speech in Scotland and to stop us coming out on days like this."

Isabel Cooney said she wants Scotland to leave the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31 this year as she is concerned the Scottish Parliament will shut down. 

She said: "From my perspective what I want is I want out of the UK by the end of December because I'm worried they are going to shut down our Parliament. I think these events make us feel better but I don't think Westminster cares. Given that it was social distancing and a limited number of people were allowed to register the turnout was as good as it could have been."

Bernard Elliot said the BBC have "let the people of Scotland down" with its original decision to scrap the briefings.

"This isn't only about Scotland," he said. "This is about people's health and I'm very surprised that this was allowed to happen. The briefings have given a lot of people in Scotland confidence in how to deal with Covid-19. This is a terrible thing that's happened but I think the demonstration has been very successful."

READ MORE: BBC Scotland boss slammed for claims Covid briefings are not ‘crucial’

Previously, the briefings had been broadcast on BBC One Scotland and the BBC Scotland channel, as well as being streamed on the BBC News website and played out on BBC Radio Scotland.

The decision to can the programmes - which had average viewing figures of 280,000 on BBC One Scotland and 40,000 on BBC Scotland - sparked anger, with people saying groups such as the disabled and elderly rely on them for news updates.

More than 54,000 people have signed a petition calling for it to be reversed.