There was anger today after the BBC described an ISIS-inspired shooting in Brussels as a ‘terror attack’ despite refusing to do the same for Hamas massacring Israeli civilians. 

The corporation has faced mounting criticism over its refusal to describe Hamas as terrorists, instead using words like ‘militants’ – despite the fact the Government classifies Hamas as a ‘terrorist organisation’. 

Last night, shortly after reports of the double killing in Belgium emerged, the BBC published an article with the headline: ‘Brussels shooting: Suspects at large after two Swedes killed in terror attack.’

Its use of the term ‘terror’ was quickly picked up on and the headline was later changed to ‘Brussels shooting: Two Swedes killed and suspect still at large’.

Responding to criticism, a BBC spokesperson said: ‘This was a mistake – the headline should have attributed the words, so it was swiftly changed.’ 

It comes as hundreds of protesters gathered outside Broadcasting House last night to protest the BBC’s editorial policy. 

Last night, shortly after reports of the double killing in Belgium emerged, the BBC published an article with this headline. It was later changed, with a spokesman calling it a ‘mistake’ 

The corporation has faced mounting criticism over its refusal to describe Hamas as terrorists

Social media users reacted angrily after seeing the original headline last night 

The initial headline sparked fury on social media.  

Nick Timothy, a former special adviser to former Prime Minister Theresa May, tweeted: ‘I thought Jews Don’t Count was a critique, not the title of the BBC style guide.’ 

Investigative report David Collier said: ‘1,300 Jews get slaughtered. The BBC says it is not terrorism. 

A shooting in Brussels and within the hour… The BBC says it is terrorism. Utter b******s.’

Meanwhile, the journalist Nicole Lampert called the BBC’s first headline ‘extraordinary’, adding: ‘The BBC has refused to use the term ‘terror attack’ for the Hamas massacre yet they’ve used it within two hours of one in Brussels.’ 

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During the protest outside Broadcasting House last night, Gideon Falter, the Chairman of Campaign Against Antisemitism, asked: ‘How many dead Israelis does it take before the BBC can find the courage to call terror by its name?’

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Broadcasting House last night as Downing Street insisted there was no ban on the BBC describing Hamas fighters as ‘terrorists’

Pro-Israel rally gathers outside Broadcasting House on Portland Place last night 

Some protesters held banners addressed to BBC bosses, one read: ‘If the King can call Hamas terrorists, so can you.’ 

Yesterday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman yesterday said Ofcom’s rules did not restrict the corporation from using the term. 

When asked about the broadcaster’s decision not to use the term, he said: ‘The legal position is that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist group – the term terrorist is an accurate legal description.

‘The BBC has described other attacks as terrorism.

‘To put it into context, the attack we witnessed in Israel was the third deadliest terror attack in the world since 1970. So there is no restriction on the BBC using that term, certainly not from Ofcom.’

Other Ofcom-related broadcasters including ITV and Sky News do not have a fixed policy on the term ‘terrorists’ but have previously used it in their coverage. 

The BBC last night addressed the issue in statements on the complaints section of its website, insisting ‘careful consideration has been given to all aspects of our coverage to ensure that we report on developments accurately and with due impartiality’.

It added: ‘The BBC, along with many other UK and global news organisations, does use the word ‘terrorist’ but attributes it. We have made clear to our audiences that Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK.’

Some protesters held banners addressed to BBC bosses, one read: ‘If the King can call Hamas terrorists, so can you’

Protesters outside Broadcast House called for the BBC to change its stance on not calling Hamas terrorists