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| Britain |
| Questions about attack on Prince Charles'' car |
| 2010-12-11 |
| (KUNA) -- Questions were raised Friday about police handling of tuition fee protests after a car carrying the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall was attacked. A window was smashed and paint thrown at the vehicle as the royal couple made their way to a central London theatre, police confirmed. Violent demonstrations spread after MPs voted to increase university tuition fees in England. Met Police chief Sir Paul Stephenson said there would be a "very serious investigation" into the disturbances. Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP questioned police tactics. He told the BBC: "We've got to confine people in an area to stop violence spilling out to other areas, and clearly it has not worked. "Therefore, the planning and control and the senior management decisions by the Metropolitan Police over this whole incident need to be looked at." For his part, Universities Minister David Willetts said the attacks on the police were "shocking" and the officers caught up in the violence should be supported. "The police were in very difficult circumstances and they were being tested over hours, often of abuse and attack. I don't think it's for us who were not on the front line like they were to criticise them," he told the news hounds. "We had a demonstation where many thousands of the students were innocent and wished to come and participate in a peaceful demonstration, and then clearly a group of activists who were out for violence." The prince and duchess, who were travelling to the London Palladium for the annual Royal Variety Performance, were unharmed. Prime Minister David Cameron said it was "shocking and regrettable" that protesters had attacked the prince's car. Clarence House, the Heir to the thrones headquarters said the royal couple were safe and attended the performance as scheduled. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson described it as a "very stretching day" for his officers and a "very disappointing day" for London. "We did everything we could to facilitate peaceful protest and, in reality, whilst I'm sure the vast majority came here to want to protest peacefully, a significant number of people behaved very badly," he said. The House of Commons vote mean fees will almost treble to 9,000 pounds a year. The government's majority was cut by three-quarters to 21 in a backbench rebellion. Three ministerial aides resigned. Only 28 Lib Dem MPs - less than half - voted for the government's plans for tuition fees. Six Conservative MPs voted against. In angry scenes, protesters battled with police in Parliament Square. Hundreds were contained on Westminster Bridge for a time by officers. There were angry festivities as protesters - some throwing missiles - fought to break through police lines. Riot police had to force back protesters who were smashing windows of the Treasury and the Supreme Court. Scotland Yard chief Sir Paul Stephenson also told the BBC this morning that the route used by the royal Rolls-Royce had been "thoroughly recced" (checked) minutes before the incident. The Metropolitan Police commissioner said the armed officers showed "enormous restraint" during the attack, in which the royal car was splattered with paint and had a window shattered. The incident, which happened as the couple were driven through London's West End to a Royal Variety performance, was captured on camera. Up to 20 demonstrators involved in student fees protests set upon the vehicle with fists, boots and bottles, chanting "Off with their heads!" Sir Paul said the Royal Family had a "very welcome history" of wanting to be close to the public. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #7 Why didn't his security detail tell him it was a bad day to go to the theatre? |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2010-12-11 22:55 |
| #6 Empty a few mags of 9mm from a Sterling into that rowdy bunch and they'll stay the phuech clear of his car. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2010-12-11 17:51 |
| #5 Need more coffee. At first glance, the headline read attack on Prince Charles' ear |
| Posted by: SteveS 2010-12-11 11:06 |
| #4 JOE! ARE YOU OKAY? I WORRY, SEND WORD. |
| Posted by: Zombie Hillary Lover 2010-12-11 10:49 |
| #3 Sounds like the upholsterer received the worst of it. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2010-12-11 10:46 |
| #2 Missed opportunity. Just think, the Queen could have finally retired, and turned the job over to William. But now, she's going to have to hold on until either she, or her defective son, cacks it. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2010-12-11 09:46 |
| #1 And one success or near-success at attacking the Royals will inspire and induce another will induce another will induce another....@UNTIL??? |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2010-12-11 01:17 |