UK Police Won't Spare Bush From Protesters

Sky News ^ | 11-13-03

[Brian S]

PRESIDENTIAL PROTECTION

Scotland Yard has warned American security services that it will not bring London to a standstill to protect President Bush from anti-war protesters during his three-day trip next week.

However, police have stressed that they will still use all appropriate powers to ensure the President is protected against terrorist threats.

Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Andy Trotter said there needed to be a balance struck between the right of demonstrators to protest, keeping London on the move and protecting Mr Bush.

"Obviously it is a real concern with regard to the security of the President at a time of high terrorist threat against London," he said.

"What we are doing here is working with the (protest) organisers to agree a route for them so that they can march down to Trafalgar Square."

"If people are lawful and peaceful, we will facilitate the protest," he added.

Bush: Police protection

He insisted that police had not come under pressure from America to be tougher than it might otherwise be.

"We are in charge of the policing operation and we are working at all levels to make sure it goes smoothly," he said.

A large demonstration is expected and 5,000 police officers have been placed on duty for when Mr Bush arrives next Wednesday.

Mr Trotter said police may use powers available under the Terrorism Act, depending on the circumstances.

"There is no particular desire to use this power," he said.

Human rights organisation Liberty said the President must be protected from harm but not from embarrassment.

"The president's blushes should not be spared unless there is a real risk of harm to him," director Shami Chakrabarti said.

[I still care]

Not that I am against peaceful protest, but I find this very interesting considering that the press there isn't even allowed to print the latest rumor concerning Prince Charles. People forget there is no bill of rights in England.

[Killborn]

I'm not too surprised. The British Security System allowed a lefty loser to throw a pie in Prince Charles face (or was it Blair?).

[livius]

I hope this lax security talk is just for public (i.e., leftist press) consumption. There is apparently a great deal of concern that al Qaida's next objective will be London, and I read yesterday that there is also concern that they are going to try to do it during Bush's visit.

[Probity]

Great. I'm arriving at Heathrow Wednesday morning. At least I'm not staying in London the next 3 days!

[dead]

Bush is a big boy. He can handle the lame sing-songy chants of unwashed, unemployable eurinals and their trustafarian American nomad compatriots.

[diggerandscraper]

From our perspective, what got a lot of people's backs up was the suggestion that Bush's visit should shut London down for three days. That's 7million+ people who have to work, earn a living, pay the rent, etc. cooling their heels while Bush chats with the Queen and eats fish and chips. Not good PR, not something Brits would ever let Blair get away with.

I mean, if some other world leader was visiting Washington and there was a credible terrorist threat being talked about, do you think the feds would shut down DC for a state visit?