Bush demo police 'were blood hungry'

Anti-war protesters today branded police officers "blood hungry" after a demonstration against George Bush's visit to the capital descended into violence.

Ten officers were injured and 25 activists arrested as the two sides clashed outside Parliament yesterday.

Anti-war campaigners claim they were beaten with batons in unprovoked attacks and said the Met were heavy-handed in their approach, despite prior meetings between the two aimed at organising a peaceful protest.

But officers were swamped by protesters after they surged around a barricade blocking the entrance to Whitehall for the President's visit to Downing Street and the Met has hit back by describing the demonstrators' actions as "criminal and irresponsible".

In a massive security operation, 1,200 police were deployed for the first day of Mr Bush's twoday visit to London, with the majority sent to man the barrier.

Officers armed with truncheons and metal batons clashed with protesters as the barricade was "ripped apart" during the 2,500-strong demonstration organised by the Stop the War Coalition, CND and British Muslim Initiative.

The confrontation began after a peaceful start to the protest in Parliament Square. As placards were thrown, officers beat back protesters getting too close. Within two hours, riot police - who were on emergency stand-by - were drafted in to reinforce the police line, leading to even more violent clashes between the two sides.

Amid chants of "shame on you", protesters jeered and whistled as officers used truncheons and metal batons to hit those gathered at the front of the huge crowd. David Jamieson, 21, a student at the University of Strathclyde , was bloodied after being beaten four times around the head as he was pushed into police.

Mr Jamieson, who had travelled from Scotland for the day with two other Stop The War Coalition campaigners - Bryan Simpson, 19, and Jonathan Shafi, 22 - said the level of police violence was "completely unjustified". He said: "I was pushed towards the police line, and as I tried to get back I was beaten repeatedly on my back and the back of my head. My back was turned and I was hit three or four times.

"We did not think that the moment a few sticks came over the police would pull out solid aluminium rods.

"I was here for a peaceful protest - this was our chance to show George Bush how despicable his war crimes are. They are blood hungry - it was absolutely unprovoked."

Protester Suzanna Wylie, 29, was left bleeding from a head injury after being hit by a baton.

She said: "If they let us demonstrate, there would have been none of this."

Mounted and riot police later divided the protesters between two fronts: one on Great George Street and the other at the mouth of Whitehall.

"Snatch squads" then patrolled the area, arresting people who had earlier been filmed by officers and highlighted as troublemakers.

One 17-year-old girl was detained on suspicion of assaulting a police officer. Her friends said she has her A-levels next week. Thomas Hale, 18, added: "It's just ridiculous, she's not the type of person to be stupid enough to attack a police officer. They've got two or three hundred police officers, horses, riot vans, and we have signs and we're shouting and some people have drums."

The violence has sparked a war of words between organisers of the protest and senior Met officers.

Stewart Halforty, from Stop The War Coalition, said: "It has been absolutely disgraceful. We have had more than 20 national demonstrations which have all been peaceful and today we have effectively been attacked.

"It was extremely heavy-handed and over the top. It all turned nasty when the riot police turned up. It was excessive." The Met today said it will begin a " postevent" investigation today. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison said: "We are seriously disappointed by the irresponsible and criminal action of those who have challenged police, physically ripping apart security barriers with the sole aim of breaching security in Whitehall.

"In a number of meetings with the Stop the War Coalition we have attempted to work with them to facilitate lawful protest, offering them a number of opportunities to express their views in a legitimate manner. We have done nothing but negotiate to make their demonstration a success."

He added: "The acts that we have witnessed are deplorable and cannot be described as lawful demonstration."

Mr Allison claimed the protest could have been used as "cover" for terrorists targeting George Bush.

Three people have been charged with offences. Two men aged 21 and 26 were charged with obstructing police and a 60-year-old woman was charged with indecent exposure.

Eleven people are being questioned at central London police stations with the rest being released on bail or without charge.