Extremists target meeting

Trouble flared again in the bitter election battle between George Galloway and Oona King when protesters tried to disrupt an East End hustings meeting.

Despite a heavy police presence after incidents including death threats against Mr Galloway, extremists still tried to break into last night's Bethnal Green and Bow meeting. Three men were wrestled to the ground and one was arrested for public order offences.

The meeting followed an incident on Tuesday night when Mr Galloway was threatened by up to 30 young Islamic extremists while canvassing on the Osier council estate.

Today he said he would not be deterred, stating: " It was extremely frightening but democracy will prevail." Ms King's car was also showered with eggs and its tyres slashed as she toured an estate at the weekend.

The East London Communities Organisation hosted last night's meeting at the People's Palace at Queen Mary University, Mile End Road, to let local organisations quiz candidates including Mr Galloway, representing his anti-war Respect party, and Ms King, defending a 10,000 Labour majority.

Both appealed for a peaceful campaign. Mr Galloway said: "Can I take this opportunity to express to Oona King how sorry I am for what has happened in the campaign? I welcome her suggestion that we meet the police to see if we can take some tension out of it."

Ms King said: "George and I have strong differences, but we don't want to be violent towards each other." However, whenever she stood to speak a large section of the audience - many of them young Muslim men hostile to her support for the Iraq war - booed and shouted. Among the hecklers were many of the stewards.

Their anger grew when candidates were asked what they would do to stop harassment of Tower Hamlet's Muslims since the September 11 terror attacks, including the alleged increased use of stop-and-search by police.

Ms King said she had opposed the new anti-terrorism Act and detention without trial, prompting cries of "Liar!" and "That's what your government has done."

Mr Galloway won tumultuous applause when he said: "When you make war on Muslims abroad you're going to end up making war on Muslims at home."