Fury as BBC moves to erect security screen in front of Broadcasting House ... trends now
The BBC is moving to protect a controversial statue by paedophile sculptor Eric Gill after it was vandalised, MailOnline can reveal.
Bosses at the corporation have lodged a planning application for a protective screen after carrying out costly repairs to the Prospero and Ariel carving.
The statue, which is displayed on the outside of the BBC's London headquarters, has been attacked by protestors twice in the last two years.
Campaigners against sexual abuse have been left outraged by the decision and called on corporation bosses to remove the statue, which shows Ariel as a naked child, given its connection to Gill who wrote about abusing his daughters in his diaries.
In planning documents, Mark Fewster, the BBC's corporate security manager, said: 'The question must be if the guard force is physically unable to prevent someone from accessing the statue for any similar future attempt what is the solution?
'A protective screen has been proposed which, if designed and installed correctly, should prevent access, to all but the most determined of adversary.'
The Grade II listed statue depicts Ariel and Prospero from The Tempest. Above, Gill with his work
How the security screen will cover the statue at BBC Broadcasting House to deter attackers
A man wearing a Spiderman mask used a hammer and chisel to damage the statue in May last year
He goes to say: 'The statue is a highly emotive subject and has courted negative attention for many years, with individuals and groups demanding its removal.
'I do not see this interest waning and with the coverage of the previous attacks, copycat attempts cannot be discounted.'
The BBC plan to erect a glazed screen measuring 13ft high by 9ft wide. The screen would be accompanied by a 45 degree Portland stone coping which would make it difficult to stand next to the statue.
But one critic called on Westminster City Council, who are considering the plans, to refuse the screen and urged corporation bosses to remove the statue from Broadcasting House in Portland Place.
Marilyn Hawes, chief executive of campaign group Freedom from Abuse, told MailOnline: 'It's outrageous, it makes no sense to me at all.
'The BBC are trying to brush this issue under the carpet. There is no consideration given for Gill's victims or any other victims.'
In May last year, a man wearing a Spider-Man mask
