A House of Commons motion criticising the BBC and Sky for refusing to broadcast a plea for humanitarian aid funding for Gaza has been backed by 112 MPs. Actors and directors are also joining the protest.

BBC director general Mark Thompson this morning added to confusion and public annoyance over his decision to ban a non-partisan charitable appeal for victims of the conflict in Gaza.

The BBC's misguided attempt to 'avoid controversy' by refusing a charities' emergency appeal for Gaza has turned into a major crisis for the publicly-funded Corporation, say outraged critics.

International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander has joined aid agencies in urging the BBC to broadcast a charitable appeal for Gaza, which it has refused to do for what critics call "political reasons."

The BBC has angered aid groups and members of the public by blocking an advert from 13 development organisations for desperately needed humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the Gaza conflict.

The political instinct is to react, and sometimes to overreact to cultural blips as well as big issues. Simon Barrow suggests that we might all need to lighten up to regain a deeper sense of perspective.

The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has today written to the BBC over its part in the MPH motor show, which opens today in London and whose owners Clarion Events have recently purchased arms fairs.

BBC chief Mark Thompson has given a robust defence of the Corporation's engagement with religion. Those who say the BBC is anti-Christian, or alternatively that it is broadcasting religious propaganda, are wrong, he says.