PEOPLE will take to the streets in protest if the government’s imminent proposals to reform the BBC turn out to be “stupid,” a senior peer warned yesterday.

Lord Lester QC said that, while he hoped Culture Secretary John Whittingdale’s white paper on BBC Charter renewal would not be met with demonstrations, these might happen “if necessary.”

In March, Lord Lester tabled a private member’s Bill attempting to protect some of the corporation’s basic principles.