LOC12:51
09:51 GMT
LONDON, Dec 10 (KUNA) -- Questions were raised Friday about police handling
of tuition fee protests after a car carrying the Prince of Wales and Duchess
of Cornwall was attacked.
A window was smashed and paint thrown at the vehicle as the royal couple
made their way to a central London theatre, police confirmed.
Violent demonstrations spread after MPs voted to increase university
tuition fees in England.
Met Police chief Sir Paul Stephenson said there would be a "very serious
investigation" into the disturbances.
Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP questioned police tactics.
He told the BBC: "We've got to confine people in an area to stop violence
spilling out to other areas, and clearly it has not worked.
"Therefore, the planning and control and the senior management decisions by
the Metropolitan Police over this whole incident need to be looked at."
For his part, Universities Minister David Willetts said the attacks on the
police were "shocking" and the officers caught up in the violence should be
supported.
"The police were in very difficult circumstances and they were being tested
over hours, often of abuse and attack. I don't think it's for us who were not
on the front line like they were to criticise them," he told the reporters.
"We had a demonstation where many thousands of the students were innocent
and wished to come and participate in a peaceful demonstration, and then
clearly a group of activists who were out for violence."
The prince and duchess, who were travelling to the London Palladium for the
annual Royal Variety Performance, were unharmed.
Prime Minister David Cameron said it was "shocking and regrettable" that
protesters had attacked the prince's car.
Clarence House, the Heir to the thrones headquarters said the royal couple
were safe and attended the performance as scheduled.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson described it as a
"very stretching day" for his officers and a "very disappointing day" for
London.
"We did everything we could to facilitate peaceful protest and, in reality,
whilst I'm sure the vast majority came here to want to protest peacefully, a
significant number of people behaved very badly," he said.
The House of Commons vote mean fees will almost treble to 9,000 pounds a
year.
The government's majority was cut by three-quarters to 21 in a backbench
rebellion.
Three ministerial aides resigned.
Only 28 Lib Dem MPs - less than half - voted for the government's plans for
tuition fees.
Six Conservative MPs voted against.
In angry scenes, protesters battled with police in Parliament Square.
Hundreds were contained on Westminster Bridge for a time by officers.
There were angry clashes as protesters - some throwing missiles - fought to
break through police lines. Riot police had to force back protesters who were
smashing windows of the Treasury and the Supreme Court.
Earlier, protesters had largely taken over Parliament Square and pressed
against lines of police in front of the Houses of Parliament.
Home Secretary Theresa May said she "utterly condemned" the violence.
Later it was revealed that armed royal protection officers were guarding
the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall when their car was attacked last
night.
Scotland Yard chief Sir Paul Stephenson also told the BBC this morning that
the route used by the royal Rolls-Royce had been "thoroughly recced" (checked)
minutes before the incident.
The Metropolitan Police commissioner said the armed officers showed
"enormous restraint" during the attack, in which the royal car was splattered
with paint and had a window shattered. The incident, which happened as the
couple were driven through London's West End to a Royal Variety performance,
was captured on camera.
Up to 20 demonstrators involved in student fees protests set upon the
vehicle with fists, boots and bottles, chanting "Off with their heads!"
Sir Paul said the Royal Family had a "very welcome history" of wanting to
be close to the public. (end)
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KUNA 101251 Dec 10NNNN