The BBC One O'Clock News descended into chaos today when a live report was taken over by a gang of unruly schoolchildren. Scotland Correspondent Lorna Gordon remained steadfast as she reported from Edinburgh despite a group of youths popping balloons and making gestures behind her.
Chaos During Live Broadcast
The seasoned journalist was presenting a segment from Scotland's capital ahead of tomorrow's Scottish Parliamentary election. Within seconds, she was surrounded by gyrating schoolchildren sticking out and wagging their tongues, and making the viral 'six-seven' hand gesture. Boys and girls came in and out of view throughout the report, with a youngster seen at one stage carrying an inflated green balloon while making the 'hang-loose' sign with his hand. He then placed the balloon on the ground and appeared to stamp on it, with a popping noise heard, before clapping his hands as he walked off from view.
Ms Gordon remained stoic and professional throughout, despite the children's distracting antics. However, she appeared to be stern-faced and nodded her head when presenter Nina Warhurst made reference to 'Lorna and her new friends in Edinburgh' as she finished her 90-second piece to camera.
Public Reaction
Some people have posted online to praise Ms Gordon for doing 'a great job and focusing on her job'. Another wrote: 'Poor Lorna Gordon. Can't BBC News set up shots that don't make the presenter a hostage to fortune?'
Political Context
It comes amid Labour being on course for its worst-ever results in the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd. Major eve-of-election polls show the SNP retaining control in Holyrood and Plaid Cymru sweeping to power in Cardiff Bay. The MRP analysis by YouGov shows Reform UK forming the largest opposition party in both parliaments despite having no seats in either the last time they were fully contested.
In Scotland, Labour and the Tories are set for their worst ever results, winning 17 and 7 seats respectively, with a surge in support also for the Scottish Greens. In Wales, Labour is on course to lose its grip on power for the first time since the assembly was created in 1999, becoming just the third party in the newly enlarged 96-seat chamber. It is predicted to win just 12 seats to Plaid's 43 and Reform's 34 in its worst major election result in Wales for more than 100 years.
Today, First Minister and Welsh Labour chief Baroness Morgan complained that Sir Keir 'comes up as an issue on the doorstep'. She admitted the party could lose control of the Senedd because the public wants to 'pick a fight' with Sir Keir over national rather than local issues.
Wednesday marks the final full day of campaigning before polls open on Thursday across England, Scotland, and Wales. In Scotland, all 129 seats are up for election in Holyrood, while voters in Wales will choose a set of 96 members of the Senedd.
