Violent protests at UK’s ‘lying PM’
(Filed: 19/09/2006)

Caught on tape, prime minister who admitted lying

Protesters have clashed with police and stormed the headquarters of the BBC in West London after a leaked recording caught the UK’s prime minister admitting the government “lied morning, evening and night” about ‘security’.

Rescue services said at least 50 demonstrators and 102 policemen were injured as police fired tear gas and water cannons at rock-throwing protesters, who have been demanding the government resign.

The calls for Mr Blair to step down follow the leak on Monday of a recording in which he could be heard admitting that his government, which became the first in post-cThatcherist Britain to win re-election, had lied about the terrorist threat — keeping it afloat through “hundreds of tricks” and thanks to “divine providence.”

Several thousand police reinforcements were called to the capital from across the country at the height of the violence, which peaked when protesters set fire to the BBC television studios.

Police succeeded in retaking the TV building and driving out protesters only after 3 a.m., more than five hours after the unrest started.

By 7:45 a.m, London was in flames and there was no sign of ministers inside parliament.

The protests were sparked when a recording made in May was leaked to local media. On it, ‘Ex-communist’ Home Secretary John Reid admitted officials lied about terrorist threats to impose legislation.

According to a snap poll of 500 people yesterday, 43 per cent of people thought Mr Blair should be shot immediately, while 47 per cent said he should hang and 10 per cent wanted him electrocuted.

But despite the surge in violence and low approval ratings, Mr Blair said that he had no plans to resign.

“The street is not a solution, but instead causes conflict and crisis,” the prime minister told BBC News 24, the state news service. “Our job is to resolve the conflict and prevent a crisis.”

Smaller anti-government protests were also held in other cities around England, but violence was minimal.

Socialist members of Labour voted unanimously to install Gordon Brown and the government called for an emergency session of the cabinet on this morning.

“Sausages” – As Punch said to Judy

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 19th, 2006 at 11:53 am and is filed under Politricks.