BBC receives 500 complaints over Hogmanay fireworks display which included a tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement

The BBC received 500 complaints over a New Year's Eve fireworks display which included a tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement.

A laser show replaced the usual New Years Eve firework display by Tower Bridge due to the coronavirus restrictions on January 1, 2021 in London

The broadcaster's internal regulator released its latest fortnightly report, covering the festive period.

It said it received 500 complaints about the Happy New Year Live! programme, and the main issue being people were "Unhappy the New Year fireworks display referenced 'Black Lives Matter'."

During the broadcast, drones were used to create the clenched-fist symbol in the sky.

The symbol became linked with the Black Lives Matter movement amid the worldwide protests which followed the death of Minnesota man George Floyd in May.

The latest report from the BBC's Executive Complaints Unit also revealed it had received 289 complaints about a pre-Christmas episode of The Vicar of Dibley, also focused on a reference to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Dawn French's Reverend Geraldine Granger took the knee and delivered a sermon about the anti-racism movement in a lockdown special of the popular comedy.

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