Professor Chris Knight renews threats against G20 police

Threats: Professor Chris Knight

13 April 2012

THE university professor who has been suspended for "inciting violence" before G20 protests remained defiant today and renewed his threats against the police.

University of East London anthropologist Chris Knight said: "The message to police is 'if you press your nuclear button, I'll press mine'. It sounds like a threat? Well, yeah - don't do it. If you want violence, you'll get it."

The university suspended Professor Knight on full pay pending an inquiry into his behaviour after he told the Evening Standard this week: "If they [the police] want violence, they'll get it."

The 66-year-old, who lives in Lewisham, has organised next Wednesday's G20 Meltdown Financial Fools Day protests under the banner of The Government of the Dead.

He will also lead attempts to target businesses in the City and Canary Wharf which fail to switch off their lights tomorrow night.

The University of East London did not take immediate action against Professor Knight, but it was confirmed today that he had been suspended.

He was told his comments were "inciting criminal action, specifically violence against policemen and women and damage to banking institutions".

A university spokesman said: "Professor Chris Knight has been suspended from his duties at the University of East London pending investigation. In order not to prejudice this process we cannot make any further comment."