​Man attempts self-immolation outside BBC Broadcasting House

Security staff wrestled a man to the ground after he doused himself in petrol and threatened to self-immolate outside the BBC’s central London headquarters.

The man covered himself in the flammable fuel near the entrance to Broadcasting House before being tackled and restrained by security staff until police arrived.

Police detained the man while the fire service covered the spilled liquid with sand.

Man tackled by cops after reportedly dousing himself in petrol and threatening to set himself on fire at the BBC's HQ pic.twitter.com/rpFq9WhidO

— Zora Suleman (@ZoraSuleman) June 10, 2015

Before being tackled by security, he reportedly shouted slogans of a “non-political” kind.

The BBC is yet to comment on the incident, but the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called today, Wednesday, 10 June at 09:11hrs to the BBC, Portland Place, W1, to reports of a man threatening to set fire to himself.

“Officers attended and the man has been detained.”

“Two bags at the location were examined by specialist officers and found to be non-suspicious.”

Strong smell of petrol & police still standing guard after a man tried to set himself on fire outside the BBC earlier pic.twitter.com/G7DMSm93Fq

— Richard Main (@RPMain) June 10, 2015

“A cordon is in place around the front of the building. Officers are working closely with security. The building has not been evacuated,” the Met added.

Witnesses reported seeing two bottles of liquid and a strong smell of petrol while the incident was in progress.