Security breach at Westminster
Hundreds of thousands of people protested across the globe yesterday against the last year’s Iraq war.
Marking the first anniversary of the conflict, anti-war campaigners took to the streets in London, Rome, Tokyo, Sydney and Greece as well as cities in India and Egypt and elsewhere.
In Germany, marchers held demonstrations in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich.
In Manila, police used water cannons to prevent about 500 people from marching on the US embassy.
In Cairo, several thousand riot police cordoned off Tharir square while protesters burned copies of the US flag.
Meanwhile, on home soil, two anti-war protesters scaled Big Ben at the Houses of Parliament.
The pair wearing helmets and harnesses unfurled a banner which read “time for truth”, before descending 328 feet six hours later. Police arrested Harry and Simon Westaway on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
Stephen Tindale, executive director of Greenpeace, which organised the stunt, said the environmental group wanted to send a clear message to the prime minister.
Up to 100,000 people marched through the capital. Protesters carried “wanted” posters with the faces of Mr Blair and US President George W Bush.
Hundreds of black balloons were released in memory of those who died in Iraq and Madrid.
Last night, Brian Paddick, Metropolitan Police Commander, said he was “absolutely confident” the activists could not have entered the Westminster.
But Mr Paddick said the Metropolitan Police would be reviewing their ‘security arrangements’ in light of the breach.
