World trade demo greets Kissinger

Anti-globalisation protesters were dragged away from the Albert Hall today, where thousands of business leaders attended a conference addressed by former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Traffic came to a standstill outside the Institute of Directors' convention on globalisation when the demonstrators were joined by a second group protesting against Dr Kissinger.

There was heavy security at the hall, but police at first stood by as the protesters sat down in Kensington Gore.

However, as traffic built up they moved in to clear the road. Meanwhile, human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell today lost a legal battle to have Mr Kissinger arrested on allegations of Vietnam war crimes.

Bow Street district judge Nicholas Evans ruled that an arrest warrant could only be issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr Tatchell insisted that he would fight on.